The Prophecy Chapter Thirteen

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Chapter 13 : Revelations

Wesley sat down at the table, hands clasped in front of him.

"Wesley," Lunea said. She had thought about this conversation over the years, ever since her son had been lost she had thought about what she might say when she found him again. Now, though, there was very little time for a real reunion. "I . . . I don't know much you remember, but I'm sure that you probably have some questions. I just want you to know that your father and I are very happy to have found you again."

"Well, I wouldn't say questions per se, but ...well...How the hell did i get taken?"

"I made the mistake of trusting Lothiniel, for one thing. It's kind of a long story."

"Oh. That stupid bitch that was with Kris?" he curses under his breath.

"Yeah. She was your father's advisor. She was supposed to keep you safe, while I was meeting with the other Mages.

"She gave me to those bloody murderers. Good choice mum, really."

"I'm sorry. We had no idea that she was a traitor. The only other choice I had at that time could have been more dangerous for you. Momo wanted to use you to fight the Dark Circle. We heard rumors that they were doing something shortly before you were taking. I met with Momo and Celebdhel here in Gondor, and Momo wanted to use you to defeat them. I could not, so instead, I went with the other Mages to see what we could learn of the Dark Circle. We scried for them, and found that Leareth was in Gondor."

"Oh, well I guess all's well that ends well. I am fine anyway."

"So, the reason you are here, is simple. You need to defeat Kris, and call on the power of the light mages, so that the circle will be completed." Kaje stated

"There is not much time left, either," Isethia said. "Kris has the power of the Dark behind him as much as you have the power of the Light behind you."

"Oh well that is reassuring."

"Your life is in danger, too, because you are the first target of anyone who wants the Dark to win."

"Oh, great, that makes me feel good. It's okay i can handle myself, from what i seem to be finding out."

"What have you faced so far?"

"Well I handled Kris and Lothiniel throwing some weird knife at me."

"Weird knife?" Isethia asked. "Do you remember anything about it?"

"Umm...she said something when she threw it at me....I believe Turbulentum."

"A Truename. That is the word that invokes whatever power it has."

"Oh. Well i stopped it some how....don't exactly remember , but I was able to call on some other source of power. I didn't know i had such capabilities."

"You have the ability to call on the powers of any Mage on the Light Side," Lunea said.

"You are also the Heir of Luthan"

"Who is Luthan?"

"Luthan was the Elven King," Lunea began. "He was born during the War of the Anachron, and he was supposed to lead Arda into an age of peace. He had healing powers, and other powers that he never actually learned to use. He died less than a year after he was born, sacrificing himself to save his father."

"Wait how could he have possibly died and sacrificed himself as a baby?"

"He wasn't a baby when he died. He . . . he had a connection to the Mages, and he called on me to advance him in age, so he could use his powers to defeat Intathin and Blackshadow. He won that battle, but Intathin's spirit survived, and possesed Luthan's father. Luthan killed himself to free his father and also a young woman Elfarran, who he was in love with. Elfarran killed herself shortly after, as she was unable to live without Luthan."

"Well that sort of explains things."

"If I had not advanced Luthan in age, and taken his childhood away from him, he would have lived longer. I think Legolas still blames me for the death of his firstborn son, and it didn't help that his second son was a Mage."

"Mum, don't blame yourself. It wasn't your fault. So, let me see if I got this straight...I have somehow inherited all of Luthan's powers?"

"Yes, when he died his powers seeked out an heir. You were the most likely candidate...and no one suspecteed you." Kaje stated.

"There were a couple months between when Luthan died, and when Eldarion and I even got together. Eldarion was still married to Sil at the time of Luthan's death, and . . . I think I was traveling with Lord Blake at the time."

"Yes. His powers were somehow directed towards you, and they were stored in you, until you conceived."

"Well, I guess that fitting since I caused his death, when I took away his childhood."

"I believe he knew about it, and knew the consequences of his actions. I think his powers helped you to conceive and that he kknew you would bear a strong and powerful child. That is why he picked you and sacrificed himself."

"He sacrificed himself for his father, and his love. Edric said that he was never supposed to have died, that it wasn't in that prophecies."

"Not everything is written in the prophecies. This was forseen by my father and i have seen it as well. Wesley will start to see these things as well."

"Woah....say again?"

"I think what Kaje means, is that you are a prophet," Isethia said. "That must have been one of Luthan's powers. You are more than just his heir. You have a direct link to his spirit."

"Holy shit! This is a little too much for me to take in. I can't handle this...how can I handle this? What am I supposed to do when I get a vision?"

"Prophecy is not the same as visions. You are a prophet, which is different than being a seer. For one thing, prophecy does not usually hurt the person who receives it."

"Yes, but i don't want to know who is going to die, or what is going to happen in my bloody future."

"You dont have a choice my boy." Kaje added

"Exactly what else do you know about all this?" Lunea asked.

"Just that he will be ready for battle sooner than we think."

"Do you know when this battle is coming?"

"No but it is approaching swiftly."

"Have you told them the whole prophecy?" Isethia asked.

"As far as I know it, yes, or what I percieved of it."

"Well, I guess we've covered everything then."

Angel came into the room, "A prophet?Well Wes it looks like you have your hands full."

"Really?-" Wesley balled over suddenly as if in pain.

"Wesley, are you alright?" Lunea asked, quickly going to his side.

He looked up at her, "NO!"

Angel walked over and placed his hand on Wesley's shoulder. Wesley's eyes squeezed shut, and then he opened them again. He straightened himself up and looked at them. " I think I am better now. IT has passed. Weird stuff has been happening since I was hit with that one spell."

"What spell?"

"I dunno. Something that the Sorzar threw at me."

"Sorzar . . . I think some of the Mages have confronted them before. Do you know what the spell was for?"

"Umm.. I think it was meant to either hurt me severely or kill me."

"You said weird stuff has been happening. What weird stuff?"

"I have had pains, whether they are headaches or this. They seem to get worse every time, sometimes I even have nightmares."

"It sounds as if it is some kind of death spell that you have withstood. If I knew which one i could get Vanidor to heal you. This will take some time." Kaje stated

"How much time?"

"Time before he gets sick or so immobile that he is uneffective to us. A week or so."

~*~

"What is it you wanted to talk about?" Vanidor asked, not very friendly, as he was talking to Kaje and Isethia, both of whom he rather disliked at the moment.

"Wesley."

"Oh. Yeah, the two of you just met with him, didn't you? What prophecy has been uncovered now."

"Well...that isn't what i wanted to talk about. He has been hit with a somewhat deadly spell by a Sorzar. Is there anyway that you can check him out and see if you can figure out what it is?"

"What do you know about this spell?" Vanidor asked, the hostility gone from his voice.

"Well, I know it was meant to kill him, but for some reason it didn't. He has about a week before it gets unbearable."

"How has it been affecting him?"

"He has been experiencing nightmares, headaches and stomach pains."

"Hmm. Do you know of any other symptoms, or is that all. That sounds like what was happening on Mithgar about fifteen years ago, that we never did figure out that cause of. It was what Qiriel died of, as well as several others."

"No I guess you would have to discuss that with him."

"Hm. It would be interesting if there was some connection to Qiriel's death, since there is only person I can think who stood to gain from that."

"Vanidor....Isethia has nothing to do with this."

"Right. I notice she didn't defend herself."

"Maybe because you never listen to me!" Isethia exclaimed. "I have told you the truth repeatedly, and you still accuse you. I can understand it from Qiriel, but not from you, my future brother-in-law."

"Like I said, She has nothing to do with this Vanidor. Get with Wesley and ask him some questions. See what you can find out."

"Fine. I guess I should do that now. As soon as Isethia tells me what she meant by calling me her future brother-in-law."

"It means that she is getting married. What did you think it meant?"

"It also means that my brother is more foolish than I ever suspected."

"I suggest you go and see to Wesley...and take your mind off of such trivial matters."

"Trivial. Yes, it's trivial that my brother intends to marry a woman who is having an affair with someone else."

"I am not involved with Fairin. How many times do I have to tell you?"

"Vanidor out. GO!"

"Yes, Alor."

~*~

Faedra was outside sitting beside Calyna.

"So, I notice there's been some drama going on," Calyna commented.

"Yeah, if you could call it that."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"It ...not really..." she sighs. "It's just that... I wish that Kaje would just start to understand me, and pay more attention is all."

"He's busy with his job?" Calyna asked. "I can understand what that is like. I mean, being with someone who spends more time with their job than with you."

"Yeah, I mean..." she sighs. "What am i supposed to do? I Love him so much."

"That is all you can do. Has he always been like this, or did it start with the war?"

"I think it started with the war."

"Well, that could be the reason. He is your leader after all, I believe. That is a big job, to lead one of the companies in a major war.

"Yeah I know. It's just that I feel secondary to his work. I guess I should talk to him. It's just that, last time we got into a big argument."

Kaje slowly creeps up on them, unnoticed. And overhears what Calyna says.

"You probably should talk to him. I mean, he might not realize that he is shutting you out." She added another sentence, quietly. "At least his work that is so important to him is good."

"Fae, I am sorry."

She turned, "How long ahev you been standing there?"

"Just long enough to know what is going on."

"Oh, well..."

He knelt beside her. "I never meant to hurt you. I am sorry."

"I don't want to be secondary."

"I know, I am sorry."

They hugged.

~*~

After being ordered to by Kaje, Vanidor had gone in search of Wesley.

Wesley was sitting outside by a fountain

"Wesley, Kaje told me that you had been hit by a spell cast by a Sorzar."

He turned, "Yes...and you are...Vanidor?"

"Yes. I can see how it can be confusing, though."

"Well...yes...I suppose. What can I help you with?"

"I want to know what symptoms you have experienced as the aftermath of the spell."

"Well, what has Kaje told you?"

"The physical symptoms you have been experiencing could mean a lot of things. I was wondering about the nightmares. Can you tell me anything about them."

"I would rather not....they are complicated and dark."

"Well, I need some information. It might help me to determine what the exact spell was. If it is what I think it might be, several people on Mithgar died from this about fifteen years ago."

"I dream a lot of death, and pain and suffering."

"There are several interpretations of that. Do you have precognitive abilities?"

"Well, no, I am a prophet but these dreams just started."

"So did you abilties, I understand. Is it possible the dreams are your abilties manifesting, and not related to the curse?"

"No. I don't think so. My powers started before they did."

"But has your ability as a prophet manifested yet? You said you dreamed of death, pain, and suffering. Was it your own or someone else's?"

"I don't know. All i ever see is a shadow lurking and then blood everywhere. My prophet abilities have yet to surface."

"Unless this is their way of surfacing. Someone could be trying to warn you."

"Warn me of what? That wouldn't explain all the pain."

"You mean, the physical symptoms you have experienced? Or have you felt pain as a result of the dreams."

"The physical symptoms I have experienced in general. I don't see a difference."

"Do they have any connection to the dreams that you are aware of?"

"Not that I am aware of but I guess it is a possibility. Why?"

"Because that would indicate whether or not the dreams are a symptom of the spell."

"I don't know. I guess you will have to keep watch while I sleep to find out."

"Yeah, if I was trained in dreamwalking. The only way to find out for sure is for someone to enter your dreams, in the process of dream walking. I do not know if anyone in our group is trained in it.

"What is dreamwalking?'

"The process of entering another dream. It is a magical skill. I know someone who is trained in it, but she is not here."

"Oh....well...I am sure some one here could assist or know how to."

"Yes, it is just a matter of finding someone."

"Well try my mother. She seems to have a lot of magical ability."

"Okay. I will talk to her."

"I guess, I will see you later then, if everything goes well?"

"Yes. And I intend to find out what this spell is, and deal with it."

"Thank you. If i can do anything for you, I will, just name it. I feel indebted to you somehow."

~*~

Vanidor went in search of his brother, as soon as he had spoken with Wesley. He had enough sense of business that he had the necessary talk before going to have the personal talk.

He found Gildor in the common room of the inn where the Crusaders were staying. Not wasting any time with pleasantries he immediately got into his reason for coming there.

"Are you and Isethia actually engaged?" Vanidor asked.

"Yes," Gildor replied, looking up from the parchment he was writing on.

"This would be when I ask how you could be so stupid. You know she is having an affair with Fairin. Anyone could see that."

"I know no such thing. I trust Isethia, and she has never given me any reason to distrust her."

"Yes, but if you really thought about it you would see the huge mistake you are making. Instead you have decided to be stupid, and commit yourself to a woman who has no concept of faithfulness."

"Why do you hate her so much?" Gildor asked.

"Because she will hurt you. I doubt she is even really a Herald. She probably tricked Sevayne into acting as her Companion."

"She would have no reason to do that. Plus, I was there when Sevayne chose her."

"If she's so trustworthy," Vanidor asked, "where is she? I mean, you too are engaged. She should be here with you."

"She is with one of the other Heralds, I think. She is not used to being around other Heralds, and I think she's enjoying the opportunity to learn from them."

"Wouldn't she have met them when she was here before? I mean Fairin brought her here before so they could conduct their affair in secret. Are you aware of the fact that there is no one in our group that we can trust?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Gildor asked.

"Well, you'd think Kaje would have told us before a few days ago that he was raised by our parents. Doesn't it bother you that he is Father's successor? I mean, you should have become Warder. You are the oldest son after all. Plus, don't you think Father's accident was suspicious?"

"Possibly, but I don't think a Crusader was involved in it. What would any of them have to gain from killing Father?"

"Well, Kaje might have known in advance that he would be Father's successor. Or . . . Isethia may have believed you would be Father's heir the way you should have been," Vanidor said.

"Did it ever occur to you that I did not want to be Warder?" Gildor asked. "Father had the right to chose his successor if he wished, and it makes sense, since he was the one who wanted us to become the Crusaders in the first place, and wanted Kaje to be our leader. And why are you making these accusations all of a sudden?"

"I'm trying to convince you of the danger. People in positions of trustworthiness can easily be traitors. Look at Lothiniel. She got herself appointed Eldarion's advisor, and used that position to kidnap his son. Then, she killed several innocent people. And she is an Elf, which means that another Elf could easily commit similar actions."

"Who exactly are you accusing now, anyway?" Gildor asked, making a mental note to speak to Kaje about what Vanidor had said at the earliest opportunity. "If I were going to be suspicious of anyone I would be suspicious of you, since you have to make these accusations."

"Or maybe you are being controlled by an enchantress. Who knows what else Isethia can do besides the powers she has shown."

"Will you stop accusing her? We have waited for years to become engaged, because of your disapproval. You have harassed her for years about this, and smeared her reputation in front of others."

"Yes, because I wanted to stop you from ruining your life with her? Why can't you see how stupid you are being? Maybe you're in league with her on something. Maybe that is why you were not Father's heir. Maybe you and Isethia conspired to cause Father's accident, and you were not made the heir because someone suspected."

Gildor stood up and faced his twin. "Don't make accusations that you can't back up. You don't know what you're talking about, and if anyone is being seduced by the darkness here, it is you."

"That isn't true. When you're ready to stop being stupid, you know where to find me. Let me know when you've realized how stupid you are, and we'll talk then." With those words, Vanidor turned and left the inn, not looking back at his brother.

~*~

A few minutes after Vanidor had left, Gildor folded up the parchment he had been writing on, and went in search of Kaje, needing to talk to him about the encounter. He found Kaje in his office, which was the first place he looked.

Kaje looked up from the parchment that he was transcribing. "What can I do for you Gildor?"

"I need to talk to you about something," Gildor said.

"About what Gildor?"

"Vanidor. We had an argument, and he said some things that . . . I am afraid he is being tempted by the Dark Side."

"Not to worry it will pass."

"He thinks that someone caused Father's accident. He accused you, and then he accused me, and Isethia."

"He has lost his way is all. He will find it and all will be fine, there is no need to worry."

"Do you think he could have been right about Father's accident, though?"

"it is possible."

"Do you have any idea what could be going on with Vanidor? He has never acted this way before. He has always believed the worst about Isethia, but he has never spoken about anyone else that way."

"She reminds him of your mother and so he is assuming the worst."

"My mother? What do you mean?"

"Well...she looks a little like your mom, the hair, the job. She left when you guys were too young. She left you two without saying goodbye and she hurt your father."

"I don't remember that much about her. I didn't realize that he remembered."

"He witnessed your father's death."

"What?"

"So did I ."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"It wasnt my place really. I didn't want to tarnish whatever images or thoughts you had of your mother."

"Are you saying that she was the one who . . ."

"No...but now that you mention it .. . there was an accident. They were arguing and your dad hit her so she pushed him and he fell down the stairs."

"Do you know what they were arguing about?" Gildor asked. He was surprised that he could act so calm about this, but maybe the fact that he barely remembered his mother was the reason.

"Something to do with you kids. I believe she wanted custody. Your dad refused and she kept injuring him by calling him bad things so he hit her to shut her up."

"She was the one who left though."

"Yes I know this and so did your father. After awhile things got bad between the two of them, because of jobs and new marriages so she came back to discuss some things. She was the last one to see your father alive...and the first to see him dead."

"So, she came back again after that fight you described?"

"Yes. But I am still convinced that she didn't do it. She loved him too much. I think it was Kris' father."

"Surely someone would have known if a Black Mage had entered the Vale. I mean, we have sentries. Kris and Lothiniel weren't even allowed to enter the Vale. How could a Black Mage enter?"

"There are ways...besides are sentries at the time were idiots."

"And you and Vanidor saw all this happen?"

"Well I saw the most of it and Vanidor walked in at the very end to see his mom over the body. She was talking to him and crying. When he got there she was leaving so he suspected her."

"I didn't even know she'd ever returned to the Vale. And that doesn't explain why he accused you."

"Who knows...I think he is just lashing out...his jealousy is getting the best of him. I have someone he wants, but she loves me and nothing will change that."

"That makes sense. And if his attitude towards Isethia is for the reason you think it is . . . I guess I can understand. I didn't know that my mother was a Herald, though. I thought that Isethia was the only one on Mithgar."

"She is now. Your mother was discharged from her position for dating a black mage and for the roaming suspicion of her killing her husband. It was never confirmed though."

"A black mage?"

"Yes, Kris' father."

"How long has she been dating him?"

"She was dating him up until that moment, unless of course he enchanted her."

"But when did she start dating him?"

"Shortly after things between them went sour."

"I don't even remember her returning to the Vale. My last memory of her is from before she left."

"Figures. This is really not my place but since you do not know the reason that she left, I will tell you. She was pregnant with Joich's baby."

"What?"

"You heard me. She was afraid that her mini affair, which happened because she was seduced, would end the relationship. She also didn't want to expose you or your brother to the evil that the baby might possess."

"How do you know this?" Gildor asked.

"I am a prophet. I had my gifts from a young age. They were growing at this time and I was just starting out on my long journey. I knew because of the way she carried herself, I could read her thoughts, and I could sense another presence within."

"What happened to the child?"

"I raised him after he had been completely turned against elves, I raised him at the age of 10."

"Kris?"

"Yes. He is your half brother."

"What about Lia? Aren't they cousins?"

"No, but they thought they were. Joich's wife raised the kid as if it was her own, she was led to believe that it was hers, with the help of Leareth of course."

"What about the prophecy?"

"My father misconstrued that part. I have checked the entire prophecy and that seems to be the only part that doesn't make sense. How I became more powerful than my father I will never know."

"So...does that mean that the two of the two are false?"

"No. It is true. He just picked the wrong two. It is Lia and Karia."

"Karia?"

"She came in with Wesley's group. She showed Vanidor their location. She is really from this world, a world of the three continents. She was taken at a young age and seems to believe that she is human."

"What three continents?"

"Arda, Thardaos and Mithgar, of course."

"But those are separate worlds. And where the hel is Thardaos?"

"It is behind Arda. The continents are separated by water, and can only be reached by boat or portal."

"If it could be reached by boat why didn't anybody ever know?"

"Not enough technology, know how or common sense. But that are a few who do know. Aravan and Kaelea for instance."

"I can understand Aravan knowing because he is an explorer, but how does Kaelea know?"

Lia walked into the office as if she was looking for something.

"Father, I need to talk... to you... about..."

"About Kris?"

"Yeah."

"What about him?"

"The connection between us?"

"Has it faded?"

"Somewhat. But I don't see how it could. I thought we were bound to each other."

"Dearest Lia, there is something I think you should know. You and Kris are not related. That is why the bond is fading. It was only close because you two believed and were raised together."

"But...how? My mother said we were related?"

"That is because she didn't know the truth. Kris' real mother is Lauralee. She was the one pregnant with the baby. Joich and Leareth convinced Crystal that Kris was hers."

Gildor and Lia were silent. They were speechless.

"Gildor, to get back to your question...Kaelea knows because Aravan brought her here. Her village was under attack, the humans were killing all of the elves, and she is the last of her kind. The only way that she could escape was by boat and that is when Aravan met her."

"So...Kaelea is from this other world and her people there were killed, and then Aravan brought her here. There must have been a yellow eyed man there."

"Yes, I am sure that there was a vampire or two."

"Vampire? Didn't know they were that common."

"They aren't, except on Earth. If they are here they have some weird reasoning behind it, and you know that something bad will happen, most of the time. That is not our case with Karia and Angel."

"Karia's a vampire?"

"Yes, she was turned about a year ago. But she was born on Thardaos."

"What's Thardaos?" Lia asked after her silence.

"It is the third continent on this world. It is located behind Arda."

"Three continents?"

Kaje chuckled. "Yes, my love, three continents."

"Okay...umm...I think I missed that day in geography lessons."

Kaje started to laugh. "Most people don't know. They are only accessible by boat or by portal."

"Father, you should have been the geography teacher." She teased.

"Don't I know it." He said with a smile.