10-16-2008, 07:57 AM
“Impatient old broad isn’t she?” The old man fox chuckled while sidestepping a sting of lightening that shot from his counterparts compact form. “But young folk listen to what she means to say.” The old fox man hobbled over to the vines that held Fran captive, tapping them with his cane he said a few words. The vines around Fran’s face and neck slithered down, the ones over her body slackened until they let her down gently upon the ground beside him.
Rubbing her sore joints where the roosts had cut she turned to over helper and bowed. “Thank you kind spirit.”
He smiled back with his fox grin. “Certainly child.” He turned to face Alva but addressed them all. “You need to realize elf that your age is leaving and the time for man is coming. You cannot fight it forever without seeming the fool. Look at my people, the age of spirits was longer and more prosperous than anything you folk achieved, but, here I am having to explain my actions to those who demand but do not command my respect. It will be a great day when you realize your folly.” He bowed once more to Aurum before he too returned to adorning his friends ear.
“That senile old fox has told us nothing.” Juno rebuffed. “Aurum you must explain for him, they are your servants after all.”
Now that Fran was beside Aurum she could study his face as he answered Juno’s hostility. “High council I apologize for my friend’s telling words, I know that the mirror of time has a harsh reflection. As to why I sent my friends and how Miss Francine came upon us I’m afraid even then I am in the dark.” Fran felt a pinch when he pronounced her full name, it was too impersonal. “I told my friends to investigate the strong surge of power that resonated over the wood and when my fox kin returned the girl had come with.” It was colder not even using her name, as if it could have been any girl. Never before had the separation of the races been so heavy on Fran’s mind.
“If I’m such a bother, then I’ll just leave.” Fran shocked herself by mumbling aloud. She would have just taken her things and bolted right then, but Alva’s eyes fixed upon her and she froze.
“Yes I think it is time for you to leave.” Alva stayed where she was but the other elders huddled in and they spoke in such soft whispers, that Fran only knew they were speaking at all because their lips were moving.
Warmth surged through her, Aurum’s hand had enclosed her own, it was comforting to have a friend again. The feeling of displacement however was camped in her heart, if the council decided to banish her then she wouldn’t even be able to visit her friends. Fran was scared to look over her shoulder, if the faces that looked back at her held any coldness, then this magic world would become her personal hell. But she did look, and looking back at her, from the three member’s of her hearts family, were all eyes of love.
The council took their positions again, Juno was smiling wickedly which unnerved Fran’s building confidence.
“Miss Francine it is a wonderful day today, filled with opportunities of adventure.” Fran had a feeling that Alva’s smile was also wicked. “We have decided to bestow upon you a great honor.” Fran definitely felt more nauseous then hopeful at this statement. “The old fox man has indeed told the truth of the changing ages, but we have a problem relinquishing our time.” The nausea had become the strong urge to throw up in the back of her throat. “Pride is a vicious foe to be sure, but the truth is much more problematic. For it is not in the single heart of this council, but in the collective hearts of the entire continent of BeLuna.” Uncomfortable, Fran fought the awkward compulsion to scratch and rub all over. “The head king of the kingdom of men is the one man we will not turn our kingdom over to.” Still uncomfortable Fran shifted foot to foot, this conversation was taking a weird turn for her. “Many years ago on the eve of the Battle of the Red Sun, demons snuck into the camps of men and ate their hearts in frenzied hunger. Once the human had died some of the demons and evil spirits then took the bodies for their own home.” Fran vaguely wondered if Alva just liked to hear herself talk, because this conversation had nothing to do with her. “One evil spirit more crafty and powerful than the others slay the king and then killed his brother and took his body. That man is now the king of the human realm.” Fran hadn’t been to school in years, but she knew a boring lecture when she heard one. “He has a nephew, the old kings son, to be his successor. And from what information we have gathered, he is not possessed and therefore infinitely better than the demon.
“Fran we the council have decided that you will go on a great quest to make the nephew king of the human realm.”
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