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Igna's Domain: a truth revealed
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As they walked, they began to notice the sound of water not too far off. Suddenly, there it was, Igna's domain. It was absolutely beautiful. There was a spring up on higher ground, and the waters from it flowed down the rocks into a deep pool. The water was as clear as it would be thought possible.
However, it didn't stop there; it flowed on off out of sight. Its waters joined other springs, down the mountains to the path that led to the cliffs, forming what was affectionately called Igna's Waterfalls. It was a marvel to see, the great waters cascading miles down the cliffs into the sea. There was truly none like it in all the world of Hodesh Adoma.
Across the pool of water, there was an opening in the rocks. Igna paused at the waters edge and then began to pace around it across the rocks and into the entrance. Everyone carefully followed behind her. To their surprise, the cavern was well lit.
In some areas, the sunlight would shine through into the many chambers, and throughout the entire area, there were lanterns on the walls. They finally reached a large room with a great deal of sunlight shining in from above, and at its center was a large stone table surrounded by many tattered wooden chairs.
Igna pulled up a chair and took a seat. "Will you join me?"
They each pulled up a chair for themselves. It was only then when they noticed that there were glasses of water sitting on the table before them.
"I know you must be thirsty. Have a drink."
Ean reached out and took a few swallows from his glass; the water was surprisingly delicious. "All right. So, now are you going to tell us what's going on?" he asked Igna.
"Orckle was correct. The Ice Witch was once a guardian like me. She was set here to protect and guide the people of this world. Not so very long ago, she turned from this path and began a new one with a dark power. In essence, it is the same dark power that is responsible for the ruin of Ellizea."
Cecealye could feel her chest tightening as Igna spoke. 'Finally, I'll know who's done this.'
Ean leaned forward. "But why? Why have they targeted Ellizea? Why have they targeted Cecealye? And who are they?"
"They are not a nation, unless one can claim the shadows, and the targeting of the royal bloodline of Ellizea is not a new concept to them."
Cecealye's hands flattened out on the table. "What?"
Igna leaned forward. "Do you think it mere coincidence that you are the last of your house? Your mother's and father's deaths and your sister's disappearance were no accidents nor just-so-happened moments. They, and many of your ancestors, were victims of strategic planning to end your bloodline."
Cecealye couldn't believe what she was hearing. "But why?"
"Because of the gift you possess. Over five-hundred years ago your ancestor, Trevin Elleno, showed them what a threat your bloodline is to them. It gave freedom to the world, and it marked all those who bear the name Elleno for death. Throughout the years, they've worked like a knife in the dark to get rid of your family. But as each generation passes, their efforts are to no avail. Now, something has pushed them to the point of revealing themselves to you in an open attack." Igna looked away. "An uncommon move on their part."
Ean took another drink from his water. "So, what's pushed them out of the shadows?"
Igna hesitated. "I cannot say."
"Is there a way to stop them?"
"For your part?" Igna looked back up at them. "Yes, there is something you can do."
"What is it?" Cecealye sat ridged at the table.
"Such knowledge has not been revealed to me, but there is one among you that already knows what to do. She just hasn't told you yet."
They all looked at one another as their eyes drifted back to Supreany who had gotten up and was now standing a couple of feet away from the table. She shifted her position as she began to pull a scroll from her coat, the scroll they had stolen from the National Quezeta Library that everyone had conveniently forgotten about, and plopped it down on the table.
Cecealye shook her head. "But that scroll ... none of us can read it."
Supreany put her hands on her hips. "… I can."
"What? Why didn't you say so?"
"It wasn't what we were after originally, so I figured it didn't hurt not to say anything."
Ean leaned back in his chair. "Well, what does it say?"
"More or less ... It tells the locations of several stone shards, twelve, to be precise. It says these stones were once one, and that they are a symbol of a great power, beyond comprehension."
"So we're supposed to track these stones down?" Ean asked Igna.
A smile came upon Igna's face. "It was not an accident that this scroll came into your hands. The crystals Supreany speaks of can be none other than those that Laveana tried to find over five-hundred years ago. I know not why this task has been given to you, but it has."
"What about Ellizea?" Cecealye questioned.
"If you return to your beloved home now, you will die. This gift you knew nothing of, you can ignore it no longer. Trust in Theos. Obey and live by his will. Spend time listening to his voice, time in meditation on him, and you will see your kingdom restored. Do this not, and you and all your people will perish for it."
Cecealye leaned back in her chair, dazed and light headed. In that moment, she felt like the weight of the world had been placed upon her. It was all so much, so much to take in: the truth behind the unfortunate events that had lead to her family's demise, the overwhelming task that was set before her. She was never meant to be queen and now she realized what she had not allowed herself see before. The life or death of her kingdom depended on her life or death. Her stomach was knotted up to the point she thought she would vomit.
'Oh, Theos, I can't do this.'
Everyone was silent. All of her companions could see she was overwhelmed by all that she had just heard, and that taking it all in wasn't proving to be an easy task.
"Cecealye, listen to me very carefully."
Cecealye's eyes rose to meet Igna's.
"You were meant to be queen, and so you were meant to do this task. There is no one else in the world who would do better. Rest in Theos. He has not set you up for failure, nor has he turned his face from you."
A great pause came over the group as Igna rose from her chair. "You all must be very tired; you will stay with me for a few days. No harm will dare follow you here. Go now. Freshen up and find rest. You will feel much better after you have done this."
Supreany picked the scroll back up and followed Blaizen and Igna from the room. Orckle stood and walked over to Cecealye, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder for just a moment before he, too, exited leaving Ean and Cecealye alone.
Ean rose from his chair and placed both of his strong hands on her shoulders. "Come on; let's get cleaned up ... okay?"
She slowly lifted from her chair and let Ean guide her out of the room down the corridor and into a room where the water fell down in a stream. Ean turned to see that Supreany had brought Cecealye a fresh pair of clothes. He thanked her and took them and set them in a dry area.
He looked back at Cecealye. "You've got everything you need. All right. I'll wait for you outside."
He left the room and shut the door behind him. He stood right outside the room in the corridor, just as he said he would. Minutes passed, and then he heard it, a faint whimpering that turned into weeping, that became sobbing. In that moment, he felt his heart ripped from his chest. He wanted to go to her, wrap his arms around her and comfort her, but he could not. He could only stand there and listen, listen as the woman he loved broke down in her sorrow.