Coming

         “Listen to me well, my children. For I tell of the way it was and the way it will be.”
         Ardra love to hear the old woman tell the stories of their clan. She told of love and hatred, peace and war, of happy times and sad ones. Even though she was seventeen now, if her chores allowed she would stand and listen with the same fascination as the five year olds at Rowena’s feet.
         “The sky was clear but the sun shown black. The Dukun had warned the elder’s of this but none paid attention. The Dukun told of the fierce suzerain who was coming and to make ready. The sagamore would not listen. The Dukun advised the sagamore that the thing he most held dear would have to be given up to save their clan.
         “Weeks of vicious fighting had lead to this ominous day, the sagamore stood in the eternal ring while the army of Draco rode into the encampment to negotiate surrender. Its leader was of immense size. Numerous animals gave their lives to create his cloak that covered his broad shoulders. He rode a warhorse, black as the night except for the white diamond shape between it’s eyes, that pranced its way nervously through the crowd until its owner brought it to a halt several feet from the sagamore’s procession and dismounted. Authoritative in manner and commanding in present, the suzerain towered over the sagamore by at least a head.
         “Now the sagamore was a very prideful man, resentful of the show of fidelity that was demanded. He would refuse to bow before the suzerain. The sagamore had only one child, a daughter of diminutive stature but fae in appearance, who he cherished deeply. She stood behind her father as the army rode in, but soon recognized that her father was going to let his pride stand in the way of the clan’s future. The suzerain called for tribute but her father remained still.
         “As the suzerain slowly closed in on the sagamore with sword drawn, she slipped in front of her father. She secured the blade between her hands and brought it to her heart saying, “ My father has let his pride overrule his judgment, but he is a just leader and does not deserve to die. Take my life in his sted.” At that the suzerain moved his sword away from the young maiden. The negotiations proceeded as agreed, and although the suzerain let the sagamore keep ruling the clan, the suzerain levied a heavy price against the sagamore for his disobedience. The sagamore’s daughter was taken away to the land of the Draco by the suzerain,” Rowena smiled as she ended her tale, knowing the questions her listeners would ask.
         The young ones were not satisfied with Rowena’s ending, one patient little boy asked after the others had quieted, “ Mistress Rowena did the sagamore’s daughter ever come back?”
         “No, Jovan, she did not. We have had peace with the Draco for close to one hundred years now thanks to the bravery of the maiden. But time grows near for the accord to be renegotiated.”
         Ardra had often wondered about the time coming. She knew old ones of her clan had worried over this same thought for the past several years. Whenever she had approach the subject with one of them, they would smile knowingly at her and change the subject. Shaking the thought from her mind, she hurried through the village. She was late and her aunt would be furious with her.
         The shortest way to her aunt’s house took her right past the stone cavern that was known as the Fees Apadana. Her aunt told her that she must avoid the area and was never to talk anyone around it, but when she was seven she meet Shaylee there.
         Shaylee and she had played and talked over the years. Shaylee had gone away two years ago, telling Ardra she was going to visit her grandfather. She gave Ardra a cat brooch and told her that if she were needed, Ardra had only to rub it, speak the word “thig” and Shaylee would come to her wherever she was. Ardra missed Shaylee horribly, but would not call her friend back for no propose, for she knew Shaylee was fulfilling her right as a Faery Princess. Shaylee had been forbidden to tell Ardra her true identity, but Ardra was rare among humans and had powers of second sight and more.
         Ardra told no one of the things she could do. She knew it would only breed fear among her clan, for they were a superstitious lot and prone to over reacting. Known as a healer in training, she learned Herbology from her aunt. Even being a healer could not account for her powers. The Goddesses had truly blessed her but she knew not for purpose....