Chapter I

The Peace Bringer

Galindra mounted her white stallion and kicked off to a furious gallop. She is heading North, to the Kingdom of Lindor. On her arm was a squeaking babe, fresh from the womb, about a few months old—covered by a thick fur blanket.

'We're almost there, little fella'.  Galindra assured as Pilandes, a range of sheer mountains, began to expose themselves on the edge of vast verdant plains. Its portion, Mount Pilandur, is where the Myrees has stood for centuries. It is the capital stronghold of Lindor, known for its impenetrable reputation and strict protocols. 

It's a great miracle that they just let her passed the several massive iron gates. And it seems the king is interested to heed her plea. I was wrong. Galindra realized.

'You are filled with madness.' King Melario exclaimed, sitting on his stone-polished throne atop of a high dais. 'I cannot accept this child'. He turned his head away as Galindra looks straight at him. Her eyes got shade of purple. Those could easily daze the king, yet the sorcerer got no time for tricks. 'Everything I said is true Melario. One day the realm of Nordor will bleed from war and chaos, and this child shall bring peace and save us all from great destruction. He is the son of your late sister, Princess Linara, to Prince Menandro of Athrandur'. Galindra knelt and raised the child—a rare thing to do for powerful beings like sorcerers. ‘Here, I am, my king, humbling myself to you. Take this child, your flesh and blood. Foster and train him, so he’ll be able someday to fulfill the duty entrusts to him.’

 ‘You can’t take this child!’ Lady Veron couldn’t stop herself from entering the throne room. She swallowed hard as Melario gave her a scornful stare, then curtsied in return of impolite manner. Galindra remained to bow her head. What a sister-in-law can do to stop you from fulfilling your destiny? Veron holds the skirt of her gown as she does several steps to mutter words in front of the king. They seemed to argue for a while before the lady left the throne room, smirking. This doesn't feel good. Galindra stood up and clutched back the child to her bosom.

'There's still something you didn't know. An imminent threat in the East,' Galindra said.

'Threat?'

'King Salamar of the Kingdom of Esperia is raising an army, a great one this world has ever seen. With the help of Esper, a sorcerer who conjures dark magic, she might have bewitched the king. I am very much certain this has something to do with the prophecy, I am telling you.'

'Another sorcerer? One of your kind. Folly.' Melario smirked. 'The age of magic had passed already, and if there's any truth in what you were saying, then I shouldn't believe you more. Enough with this stupidity,' the king shoved his head.

'Esper is not one of us anymore, since the moment she betrayed us, the Order of Sorcerers,' Galindra said in a faint voice.

'It's not my concern anymore. The Kingdom of Lindor has been sleeping in peace for years already. No one can put an end to that as long as I am the king, I will crush anyone who threatens to destroy my kingdom,' Melario frowned at Galindra.

'Until when, you will become so assured with the false peace you are living in.'

'I said enough, sorcerer. You and your race have done great turmoil into our land. Stop meddling into our lives. You can't fool anyone here anymore. Sorcerers are just mere figures now on myths and legends.'

'But your grace--'

'You are losing my patience. I already made my decision. This child was the result of a betrayal that caused war and killed lives. Take him somewhere, just not here'.

Galindra can't believe what she just heard. It seems the vileness still prevails in these mortals.

'So, go on,' Melario swept his hand and stood up. 'Go back to the wicked land where you came from, witch!'

Galindra didn't like what she heard this time. The wind blows so strong as her eyes glow. 'Insolent! I can kill you with just a swipe of my hand, but death is a mercy to mortals like you.' The king can't move nor speak. 'You will regret this, Melario. Your greediness and grudges will kill you someday. A powerful force threw the king back to his chair. Galindra capped her pale silver hair with the hood of her cloak and left the palace of Myrees.

The sorcerer rides next, to the east, to the Kingdom of Athrandur. Anthrandez, its capital city stands at the bank of the Athrandyr River. King Alward rubs his beardless chin while staring at the carpeted floor of the great hall. This one is different, calm, and calculative but still a lion, like the sigil of his clan. Yet, this sort of decision shouldn't be taking this long to make. 'Forgive me, your grace. If I may interrupt your contemplation but we don't have the whole night to think about the welfare of this child. Your decision must favor him. He is your nephew, the son of your late brother, your flesh and blood.'

The king broke his still to give Galindra a thin smile. 'I may accept you as my company for a few days, but I cannot foster this child and let him dwell here,' Alward reasoned out.

'How can you be like the first one. No love for his blood.'

'Don't get me wrong, my lady. But that child has no place for my kingdom. She would be just a mere concubine to a Duksom someday. That can't happen to a child who has a great destiny. Take her somewhere not here.'

Duksoms are noble lords who own pieces of land or even castles or fortresses. They swear an oath to a king—to serve and aid him in times of war.     

'A concubine? Who says this child is a girl?' Galindra smirked.

'That child is a boy?' Alward largened his eyes, realizing the exaggeration of his reaction, he turned his head away; clearing his throat. 'If that's the case....' The king taps the wooden arm of his throne, carved into a lion's head.

'...SEIZE HER! AND KILL THE CHILD!'

Four huge knights clad in heavy armor approach Galindra. Her eyes glow again.

'That child must not live for I have nothing but three daughters, having him a greater claim to the throne!' King Alward roared, then gasping for air in a sudden, almost choking his self to death.

Galindra's eyes glow again. 'I won't let you touch him. Death and misery, you'll receive. Tens of your race!' She swept her hand to the approaching knights, and they got thrown out in every side of the hall.

The sorcerer released the king from her force and left the castle unharmed. She couldn't accept failure. It swallows her pride. Dareen, a young apprentice, met her in front of the massive city gate—closing and clanking.

A watcher looked down from above and spat at them. Dareen glares up, raising his finger.

Galindra gripped his arm. 'Dareen, don't make commotion here. You're in the wrong place. Just spare this mortal. He's not worth your time.'

The young sorcerer sighed and nod. They continue trotting. 'What are you doing here in the Anthrandez?' Galindra asked.

'I never expect that city to be vast and grand.'

'You are not answering my question.

'Ahh...' Dareen scratched his head. 'I'm just so eager to learn new tricks from you. You left us all hanging on the topic of divination. You've gone for three moons already. Since then, I've been waiting for you to come back in the Tower of Delsshai,' the boy answered.

There's passion and persistence in this young apprentice. 'I'll make it up to you as soon as this child gets the love and cherishing he deserves.' Galindra promised, hinting a smile. Dareen could hide the blushing of his cheeks. He turned his gladness to the young babe. 'What a lovely child. What must be his name?' The sorcerer paused to think. 'Asharo,' she announced proudly. That was not the name your father gave you. It should be Menandro, after his name, and his father before him. But that name became a reflection of perversion. And you are not a product of your wicked past.

The sun already sets itself behind them. They are riding South. On the way, she told Dareen everything. Gazing at the child, Galindra couldn't stop herself to feel pity. Poor, little fella. Your parents were good people, good friends to me. How come your own flesh and blood could abandon you.

Dareen broke the silence. 'What don't you just bring him with you in the Tower of Delsshai?'

'That can't be. The Tower of Delsshai is for the sorcerers only. Not a shelter for the orphan, more likely to mortals. It's not a safe place for children. Besides, if I wanted to, the Highest Supreme would not allow it. They would punish me if they ever find out.'

'If they ever find out,' Dareen stressed out, grinning, and rode past Galindra.

The sorcerer paused again to think what Dareen was implying.

'You are right, boy!' She exclaimed and dashed to reach Dareen. 'Sometimes, there's nothing wrong with breaking the rules if it's for the common good and if it's for the whole Yrthos someday. So, prepare yourself. We will ride to Delsshai in the morrow after we spent our night in that woods.'

Dareen nodded, beaming. And they continue riding South.