Chapter Three
The only sound that pierced the silence was the crackles and pops of the massive fire. There was a tension in the air that kept even the youngest in the group silent. At last, a timid voice broke the corporeal silence that hung in the air.
“What is the Fénix feather?” All eyes turned to Maigo who shifted uncomfortably under the gaze of all the tribe members.
“You have not learned of it yet.” Said Osiron with a solemnes to his tone. After thinking for a moment, he raised his voice so that all could hear.
“Gather round everyone! Gather round and I will tell you the legend of the Fénix.”
“Alright! Talk about the best day ever!! First, I see Idyallis again and now we get to hear a story!!” Exclaimed Sadiki shaking off the weariness that had seemed to consume his body. He jabbed Haze with his elbow to wake up the hound from its sleep. The midnyt lifted its head and cocked its ears towards Osiron, its eyes sparkling with anticipation as if it too was looking forward to the story.
Osiron stood up so all could see him. He stopped for a moment before continuing on, seemingly to gather his thoughts.
“A long time ago there lived a historian by the name of Adelrun. Adelrun had a passion for old legends and stories and set out to collect them and format them so that not a single one would ever go untold.” Osiron paused after his preface with his eyes closed as if he could see the events he was about to describe.
“Many zenothan ages ago, when Elios created the whole of Renswa, He created a large and powerful Scryon forged from the energy of the sun. This beautiful golden bird He called a Fénix! This bird, the embodiment of flux, had the power of the sun flowing through its veins!” As Osiron spoke he became more animated, his eyes showing his excitement.
“In His wisdom, Elios set this mighty bird as protector and guardian of the desert lords, the early precursors of the Reyna, our people. The bird was truly a gift to our people and allowed us to rule the desert and be defended against any enemy that attempted to overthrow us! The Fénix blessed our every pursuit, not just those on the battlefield. It is said that a special potion could be concocted from its flux that had the ability to cure most diseases! It was truly a gift!!” Osiron’s eyes glittered with joy. “But” he said solemnly, his voice trailing off. “It seems all good must come to an end.” With these words His eyes became dark and sad. Everyone, even those who had already heard the story, were hanging onto his every last word. “At that time there were two kingdoms of the sand. The Reyna…and the Noxen.” His voice faltered as he said the word. Osiron scowled at the sand beneath his feet before recollecting himself and realizing where he was. “Oh..ahem. Sorry, got a little lost in thought there.” He chuckled with a gentle laugh. “Now, where was I? Ah, yes.” He shook his head before picking back up his story. “Where the Reyna are people of the sun, the Noxen were people of the moon. Where we had light, they had darkness.” Osiron spoke these words bitterly.
“Eventually a war broke out amongst our two peoples. It became known as the Twilight War. The war was long and terrible. It weakened both countries. The Noxen were brought to their knees with the conflict and the damages to the Reyna were just as severe. Finally, one general who had a deep connection with flux decided that the only way to win the war was to sacrifice…the Fénix. It worked. The bird devastated the Noxen forces…but…” Osiron’s voice became choked with emotion. “But the bird died in the process. The Noxen people were eradicated and the Reyna people, once the princes of the desert, were brought to their lowest point.”
There was not a dry eye among the adults and those who could understand the sorrowful tale.
“What about the Fénix feather?” Asked Maigo as she wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“Ah yes, of course. Legend says that Reynan forces investigated the area where the bird had died and discovered that the only thing remaining of the precious bird was a single feather.”
“The Fénix feather!” Breathed Sadiki with wide eyes.
“Yes. When the feather was brought before the highest authorities of the Reyna it was discovered that the feather still possessed its flux power. Therefore, it was decided to hide the feather so that no one could ever use it for evil.” Said Osiron.
“And now I have been tasked to find the feather.” Said Idyallis.
“Why?” Asked Maigo.
“I have read a copy of Adelrun’s passage on the Fénix feather, and it is said to have the unique ability to bolster the flux capabilities of whoever is in possession of the feather. I intend to find it and use its special abilities.”
“Now I have a question.” Said Sadiki “Why do you need the feather?”
“I…cannot answer that question in the presence of so many ears.” Said Idyallis cryptically while glancing around at the eager villagers around him.
“It is getting rather late.” Observed Osiron. “The Day Celebration is over, please return to your tents for the night.” He announced.
Slowly the large gathering of people dispersed as everyone returned to their places of lodging.
“Maigo, please stay here. You as well, Sadiki.” Osiron instructed. Both nodded their heads in response to the older man’s command. Sadiki gave a whistle and a few clicks of his tongue at which Haze stood up, stretched, then went ahead to Sadiki’s tent.
“Come, we will go to my tent.” Said Osiron spinning on his heels to head towards the largest tent in the camp. As he turned, he saw Kirana waiting by the edge of the opening holding one of her arms nervously. “Ah, Kirana. You are waiting for Maigo. Please join us, I would like you to hear what Idyallis has to say.” Kirana gave a small smile before falling in step with Maigo. The small group sauntered towards the great pavilion with no talking. The minds of the group were still resting on the story that had been told to them by Osiron. They entered the tent single file then spaced out beneath its capacious canopy. Osiron headed straight for a section of his home that was piled with cushions providing a comfortable seating area for lounging. Osiron lay down on a large pink pillow before gesturing for the others to join him. The young adults quickly moved in, each person picking their own pillow to lie on.
“There. Now you may speak freely.” Osiron said, his intense gaze becoming fixated on Idyallis.
Idyallis cleared his throat before speaking in a whispered tone. “There have been reports of unrest in the flux.” Idyallis began “The most powerful flux masters in the Amard kingdom, where I serve, have felt a powerful disturbance. The masters have said they have felt its presence for a long time however only recently has it burst with untold power. They are calling it…the Rising Darkness” As Idyallis said the words the candles in the room flickered for a moment before settling back to their usual soft glow.
“Woah! Creepy!” Sadiki breathed while whipping his head around the room to look at all the candles. The eyes of both Maigo and Kirana were wide as they stared at the candles making sure they would continue to hold steady and shed their light. Osiron bore a troubled look on his face as he waited for Idyallis to continue.
“I was sent by the king of the Amard kingdom, the good King Saichairí, to find the…enemy.” Idyallis nervously glanced around anticipating the drop of light from the candles. When the light remained steady, he continued. “The king gave me certain tools that I am supposed to use to find and hopefully destroy the enemy before it gains enough power to do significant damage. It may already be at a point of great power in which case the feather would be very helpful in fighting said opponent.”
“What tools did the king give you?” Asked Osiron.
“Well, the only real tool is this ring.” Said Idyallis taking the ring off his finger to show Osiron. Osiron took the ring and examined it closely noticing its intricate letterings and characters.
“Apparently it has many uses but I’ve only discovered a few of them. The most predominant feature is that the ring grows warmer around those who can wield flux.”
Sadiki snapped his fingers together. “That’s how you knew I was sneaking up on you at the temple!” He exclaimed.
Idyallis laughed before saying, “Yes, that’s how I knew.” He shook his head as he smiled at his old friend, glad to be back in his company. Idyallis turned his face back towards Osiron who was still studying the ring.
“Fascinating.” Osiron stated as he handed the ring back to Idyallis who promptly put it back on his finger. “So, you intend to use the feather as a weapon against this new enemy?” Asked Osiron.
“No, not if I can help it.” Said Idyallis quickly. “I hope to use the feather with this ring in order to find where the Rising Darkness is.” Idyallis grimaced as soon as he said the words which was accompanied by the sputtering of the candles. “That is what King Saichairí intended for me to do at least.”
“I see.” Said Osiron, obviously in deep thought. “How does your king feel about others joining you on your quest?”
“He has no problem with it. In fact, he was assuming and hoping that I would reconnect with my old friends,” Idyallis smiled “and hopefully get some of them to take this journey with me.”
“I’m in!” Sadiki shouted before being shushed by Maigo and getting a look of disapproval from Osiron.
“Please, Sadiki. Others are sleeping.” In spite of the old mans words and disapproval of Sadiki’s loud exclamation he still smiled at Sadiki’s eagerness and jocularity. Osiron pulled his hand through his long gray beard while thinking intently. “I must think on this some more. In the meantime, you all need your rest for the days ahead. It sounds like it will be very taxing, and you could use any rest you may have a chance to get.” His words were met with a chorus of nods and agreements. “Very well then. I will see you all tomorrow. Sleep well.” The young adults rose and saluted the older man with a nod of their head and a wish for a bright dawn before heading out of the tent and into the cool desert air. Idyallis breathed deeply as the sight of stars filled his view. He could make out many of the constellations he had grown up memorizing and they still captivated his attention and filled him with a deep awe. He could smell the wild wind of the desert being mixed with the leftovers of what had been the dinner feast. He heard lonely and solemn cries of midnyts as they hunted in their packs. He felt the sand trembling beneath his feet as he stood completely wrapped by beauty.
“Amazing.” Murmured Sadiki “He walks out of the tent and becomes a statue.” Idyallis glanced at his friend and burst out laughing at the sight of the intentionally clueless expression on Sadiki’s face.
“C’mon, let's go to your tent, sinamon-head!” Said Idyallis still chuckling.
“Hey, at least I smell good to the ladies!” Said Sadiki with a laugh of his own, much louder than Idyallis’s had been. His extra noise was met by a sharp “Shhhhh” from inside Osiron’s tent. The two boys ran away from the tent to avoid further rebukes about their volume. As they neared the tent that housed Sadiki and his family, Idyallis saw Maigo and Kirana walking with their arms around each other approaching the tent they were staying in. Idyallis wished a soft brightdawn to them both, but it was too soft to hear, and the two girls disappeared behind the folds of their tent. Idyallis walked up to Sadiki who had just come out of his tent with an armful of blankets in his hand.
“Are you coming, or will you keep soingling behind?” Said Sadiki in a fake stern voice. Idyallis laughed at the word the two had come up with to describe the way people walked when distracted.
“I’ll join you in a minute. I want to appreciate the desert for just a little longer.” Idyallis said. Sadiki gave a goofy grin before nodding. “Ok, as soon as you come in your royal bed chamber shall be made!” He gave an overdramatized bow before disappearing into the tent. Idyallis shook his head for what seemed to be the hundredth time before sitting down in the sand with a view of the sky. He closed his eyes and felt the desert around him. He breathed deeply and freely knowing he was finished traveling for the moment and knowing that he had found his closest friends and family. His thoughts were interrupted by his ring as it grew warm then cold in multiple pulses. He smiled as he removed the ring from off his finger. He slid in the sand next to a rock jutting out of the sandy face. Setting the ring on its edge and on the hard surface of the rock he twisted it quickly causing it to spin on its edge. A slight blue glow formed in the center of the spinning ring then rose into a solid beam of light. The beam shifted in form then came into focus. Hovering above the spinning ring was the figure of a young woman.
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