Champions of Serenity :Gathering the Circle

Chapter 46

“There’s a large body of men a day’s march away, Tris.” Meckin said when he returned from his patrol. The Robin Singer Traveling Show as they were calling themselves was camping in the shadows of the Shadow-dream Mountains. Still no word on Handsome’s whereabouts, but Tris knew he was near. News of Savine’s destruction had reached them the day before they left Meckadon and Tris grieved for the town. At least there were some who had managed to get away to bring the news to the capitol. Tris only hoped that the warning she had given Marilee was heeded and everyone got away who had helped her.

Tris gathered the Circle around the campfire and stared at the burning embers. After a few minutes, she started. “Handsome is with those men, I can feel it. And we have a choice. Out here, no one will be punished if we just vanish. Or we can risk detection and possible capture by Handsome. We are not ready yet to face him as we are. After we have completed the ceremony, then we will be better able to deal with him. What say you?”

Silence greeted her statements and question. Everyone looked at everyone else and then nodded. “I think we are ready to be ourselves again, Tris. Let’s go now to your home and finish the ceremony.” Airidon spoke the words for the others as they nodded their agreement.

Gathering her magic around her, Tris didn’t notice the small party of men sneaking up on their camp. Her eyes turned purple as magic filled her and she wove the spell that would take the entire group to her forest. A slicing pain pierced her thigh just as the final words were spoken. With a scream, the purple faded quickly to green as the stony base of the mountains was replaced by the shadows of the forest.

Airidon grabbed Tris and pulled the arrow from her thigh with a smooth yank. Another scream, this one filled with pain and hunger filled the forest. “Let her go, man.” A shadow said and then the shadow formed into a wolf as she moved from beneath a large weeping birch. “She needs to hunt to heal.” In his surprise, Airidon let go of Tris and she ran off into the trees.

Noshtra watched as Tris ran off then looked over the seven people she had brought with her. “You smell of Tris, so you are welcome here. I am Noshtra, Tris’s foster sister, we were raised together. Let me show you a place to stay and wait for Tris’s hunt to be done.”

For once, Shrina didn’t have anything to say. Meckin, on the other hand, quickly changed to wolf form and spoke to Noshtra in their own language. Two wolves led the group of six to a large cave complex near a stream. “Here is where you can stay. Fresh water and plenty of wood for a fire are near to shelter. With Drianne gone, I’m sure Tris will use the cave a lot more than she normally did.” Then Noshtra left them to find Tris.

Tris didn’t think as she hunted in her forest, she let instinct take over and guide her footsteps. A young buck was the first thing to cross her path and paid for it with his life. She jumped on his back and sank her teeth into the soft flesh of his neck, drinking deeply of the steaming life force. When the buck weakened and fell, she reached in with clawed hands and ripped out the still beating heart, devouring it in a single slurp.

As Tris was sucking on a marrow rich thigh bone, Noshtra found her. Tris looked up at the familiar smell and turned to face her sister. “Do you want to share with me, Noshtra?” Tris offered a bloody hindquarter to the wolf.

“Not until you wash the stink of the hunt from you.” Noshtra knew that if Tris was still in the blood lust that would never happen.

Looking at herself, Tris shrugged and closed her eyes. When she opened them, a pool of cold water stood by the carcass of the buck. Stripping, she jumped in and bathed. Once clean, she came out and gave the pile of bones a disgusted look. “Want them, Noshtra?”

“Yes, they will make a nice dinner. Bring them to my cave and I’ll exchange them for something Drianne left for you before she faded.” Noshtra answered and picked up a large thigh bone to carry herself.

In the cave, Noshtra dug up a dirty rag that was heavy. It had been tied into a knot around something to protect it. “What is it?” Tris asked as she picked up the bundle. Something made her stop before she opened it to look.

“I don’t know. Drianne said it would be death to look upon until the time was right. She said you would know the right time and place. I’m thinking Drianne knew something I didn’t back then. But I met those you have marked as family and now I know she was wise in leaving this for you.”

Tris covered the cloth with one hand and closed her eyes. “Drianne.” Lifting her head, she looked down at Noshtra. “What do you think of them? Do you know they actually follow me?”

“I believe it, Trisinda. You are a very commanding person when you want to be. And I like them, especially that Meckin. He makes a very nice looking wolf and he seems genuinely fond of you.”

Together the two of them walked back to the cave that Tris used for shelter during harsh winters. The smell of smoke was unfamiliar in the forest but something Tris was coming to recognize as common among others. When they entered the clearing, Airidon looked up from sharpening his sword and Fini stopped stirring the pot of wild root and rabbit stew.

“What do you have there, Leader Tris?” Korol asked, stepping from a shadow to stand next to Tris.

“First of all, welcome to my forest; I’m sorry my greeting wasn’t very welcoming. I wasn’t expecting an ambush. Secondly, this is my sister, Noshtra, she’ll probably tell you more about me than I care for you to know, but that is how family acts from time to time. Drianne would tell you more, but she isn’t here right now.” Tris looked down at the rag in her hand. Then she looked back up at the others. “We have work to do tonight, if you think you can handle it.”

“Anything.” Shrina said confidently.

Tris dropped to her knees and set the cloth down in front of her, leaving a space between herself and the cloth. The others gathered close, recognizing the seriousness of the situation. “Airidon, I need your help with stone and metal, Finbrahner, Shrelannasha, Tyrandeannah, I need your help with a needle, Meckin and Korolwyn I need your help with a blade, and Jehrones I need your help with magic. Will you give it?”

“Of course.” Shrina said again, this time not quite so confidently.

“What are we doing?” Fini asked quietly. The others watched as Tris leaned over and slowly opened the knot in the rag. As Tris moved the cloth away, the emblem blazed with a light all its own; an eight pointed star, shadowed with a tricolored gemstone at its heart. Tris sat back and cupped her hands over the soil between the star and herself.

“If you accept this symbol, you are pledged. You will be forever changed and be known as the Champions of Serenity, Bearers of the Star, and Circle of the Eight. Do you, Airidon, accept?” She waited, her eyes a deep purple.

“I, Airidon Cybrec, accept the Star and Mantle of Serenity. I will be her Champion and keep the faith of the Circle.” As he said those words, she felt the pull of the earth and lifted a rough stone from the ground. She quickly placed it in his hands.

“It will be your duty to shape the stones to fit the Star. You will be known by the color Green,” Tris said then cupped her hands to pull another stone free. “Do you, Shrelannasha, accept?”

“I, Shrelannasha Charroot, known as Shrina, accept the Star and Mantle of Serenity. I will be her Champion and keep the faith of the Circle.” When the words came, Tris pulled another rough stone from the ground and handed it to Shrina.

“I will give you Demon thread. You must take it and stitch this pattern into all of our boots. You will be known by the color Yellow. Let Green have your stone, now that it is yours, so it may be shaped and given you to wear.”

Tris waited until she handed Airidon her triad, then placed a pouch in her hands, and a pattern in her mind. “Do you, Tyrandeannah, accept?” She kept her voice and pacing even, but it didn’t slow for the half-committed.

“I, Tyrandeannah Rizlishken, known as Tyra, accept the Star and Mantle of Serenity. I will be her Champion and keep the faith of the Circle.” Tris pulled her triad from the dirt and handed it to her.

“I will give you Demon thread. You must take it and stitch this pattern into all of our cloaks. You will be known by the color White. Let Green have your stone, now that it is yours, so it may be shaped and given you to wear.” Tyra gravely handed the gem to Airidon and took the pouch and pattern from Tris. The firelight and the solemn words whispered in the near black forest. “Do you, Finbrahner, accept?”

With the same gravity as the others, Fini answered. “I, Finbrahner Brackwren, known as Fini, accept the Star and Mantle of Serenity. I will be her Champion and keep the faith of the Circle.” Again as the words were spoken and the pledge accepted by the Goddess, Tris pulled the triad from the ground; and then handed it to him, quickly as with the others, so their own hearts could claim the stone.

“I will give you Demon thread. You must take it and stitch this pattern into the chains that hold the Star. You will be known by the color Purple. Let Green have your stone, now that it is yours, so it may be shaped and given you to wear.” Fini handed Airidon his stone and took his trust with a nod. “Do you, Meckin, accept?”

Tris expected him to hesitate, but he didn’t. “I, Meckin Topsawer, accept the Star and Mantle of Serenity. I will be her Champion and keep the faith of the Circle.”

“It will be your duty to watch for those who work, to guard them from danger until their tasks are done. You will be known by the color Brown. Let Green have your stone, now that it is yours, so it may be shaped and given you to wear.” Meckin nodded and gave Airidon his stone. Airidon’s hands were full of the rough stones but he didn’t drop one of them. “Do you, Korolwyn, accept?”

“I, Korolwyn Sheevez, known as Korol, accept the Star and Mantle of Serenity. I will be her Champion and keep the faith of the Circle.” He lost the perpetual laugh in his voice for the pledge. And again, Tris pulled a stone from the earth.

“It will be your duty to watch for those who work, to guard them from danger until their tasks are done. You will be known by the color Black. Let Green have your stone, now that it is yours, so it may be shaped and given you to wear.” The Shadow nodded and waited for all to pledge. “Do you, Jehrones, accept?”

“I, Jehrones Cinnabar, known as Jehro, accept the Star and Mantle of Serenity. I will be her Champion and keep the faith of the Circle.” Tris pulled his stone from the ground and put it in his waiting hands.

“It will be your duty to give of your strength to the workers, so they may do their duties quickly. You will be known by the color Red. Let Green have your stone, now that it is yours, so it may be shaped and given you to wear.” Jehro held his stone a minute longer, and then placed it in Airidon’s almost overflowing hands.

“I, Trisinda Jaqukwen, known as Tris, accept the Star and Mantle of Serenity. I will be her Champion and keep the faith of the Circle. It will be my duty to give of my strength to the workers, so they may do their duties quickly. I will be known by the color Blue. Airidon will use my Star and Triad Stone to pattern those of the Circle. Do you, She-wolf, Noshtra, witness the pledges and acceptance of the Goddess?”

“I, Noshtra, do witness and acknowledge the pledges to the Goddess.” With Noshtra’s words a silvery light fell on the eight of the Circle, and looking up, all saw a gentle face, smiling. Then the light left and everyone went to work.

Serenity smiled as the final steps were begun. This was the last chance Chaos had to defeat the prophecy and she would see to it that her brother didn’t interfere. She sent a distraction of her own to Dreybrenic, a beautiful woman who wasn’t quite human. Just two more days and all would be done.

Chaos gave his own smile at Serenity’s distraction and let it stand. If Dreybrenic was fool enough to fall for a construct, then it was his own fault. At last, the prophecy would be fulfilled and the real battles could begin. Chaos was eager for the next stage to begin and wondered how it would play out.

Working the night through and into the next day, Airidon shaped the rough stones into seven different tricolored gems. He marveled at the differences in them when they all looked the same before he started shaping them. As Airidon’s fingers moved deftly over the stones, Fini’s moved over the silver thread that made the chains. The pattern was intricate but looked simple when it was done correctly. He marveled over the beauty of the chains and handed them to Airidon to put to the stones. Together, they made the completed stars. When their energy started to lag, they felt the pouring of magical energy into them from either Jehro or Tris.

Shrina and Tyra bent over their own work, Shrina with the boots and Tyra with the cloaks. As they stitched the patterns into the leather and cloth, the colors changed to match the new designations. Personally, Shrina was delighted to be yellow and Tyra was horrified to be considered white. How could she fight in such a color, especially as blood stained as it did? Once again, when the two women felt their energy lag, magical energy poured into them. They didn’t even hear the sounds of battle that raged beyond the clearing of the cave.

Meckin and Korol fought off the squads that Dreybrenic sent after them. As they were wounded, Tris healed them. When they lacked strength, they felt the energy of Tris or Jehro pour into them. More often it was Tris that gave of the energy as Jehro fed the workers more. The day faded into late afternoon and Airidon put the final touches on the last star as Shrina and Tyra finished the last stitches of the cloaks and boots.

Fini, finished first, was stirring frying potatoes over the fire and on a spit was a young buck slowly roasting. Tris was nowhere to be seen and Jehro was flat on his back. Tyra and Shrina made their way to the fire and sat down, both exhausted and hungry. Finally Airidon, Meckin, and Korol joined the others; all of them showing signs of fatigue.

“Has anyone seen Tris?” Airidon asked as he reached in and grabbed a half raw potato. He grinned at the outrage on Fini’s face and leaned back against a log that had been pulled up to use as a stool.

“Not after she dropped off the buck a couple of hours ago. She said something about hunting up some energy and left. She looked pretty tired though.” Fini said as he turned the potatoes to make them uniform golden.

“Jehro, can you find her?” Airidon asked.

Jehro rolled from his back to his stomach and gave Airidon a dirty look. “Until I get some food and sleep, I’m not finding anything.” His voice sounded drained and for a moment Airidon had forgotten where most of his strength had come from. He offered an apology.

“She said be ready at midnight for the final stage.” Fini added, just remembering it. Shrina groaned but didn’t say anything about missing another night’s sleep.

Deep in the forest, at the base of the largest weeping birch, Tris sat and hugged her knees to her chest. She rocked back and forth, wishing for one more talk with her sister, Drianne. Mentally, she was pouring out all her soul’s hurts and the confusion of everything that had happened in the past few months to Drianne knowing that she wouldn’t get an answer. Darkness closed around her and she didn’t even notice it.

“Leader Tris, are you okay?” Korol asked, stepping from the shadow into the moonlight. He looked at the tree and knowing Tris’s history as much as the others, he guessed it was the missing Dryad. “Don’t cry, Leader Tris, she’ll be back. She’s just waiting until we can make the world safe for her again.” Tris looked up and stared at the Shadow. “The others were getting worried about you the later it got. It’s almost midnight now and so I was sent to find you. You did say midnight, didn’t you?”

Tris looked down at the roots on either side of her thighs and then sighed softly. “Yes, I did say midnight. Thank you for coming, I lost track of time.” She lifted her hand to him and allowed him to help her up. Once standing, she brushed herself off and looked around again. The neglect in Drianne’s gardens was apparent to her even if no one noticed. She would have to set things right or when Drianne returned she wouldn’t be happy. “How did you get to be so wise, my friend?”

Korol only shrugged and smiled. “Shall we get back?”

With a nod, Tris pulled him close and gathered her magic about her. She took them directly to the Circle’s cave. Korol shook himself as he stepped away from Tris, still not too sure about this way of travel. He preferred moving from shadow to shadow as his people did.

“Sorry to be late, I lost track of time.” Tris said to the others and walked over to inspect their work. Eight pairs of boots and eight cloaks sat folded in front of eight stars. Each had been matched up by color and Tris nodded. She heard Korol explain that he found Tris talking things over with an old friend; the unsaid thing was the friend was an empty Dryad tree.

“Okay, we are all here, why are we up a second night in a row?” Shrina asked.

“We are here to finish the ceremony, Shrelannasha. Serenity has yet to grant us her blessings. Last night, she acknowledged us, tonight she will accept us. If we did our work as we should have done and as it looks like we’ve done.” Tris answered and picked over the left over potatoes for a few still warm. Before she could find any, a light that had nothing to do with the moon began to shine over the stars and Tris stood, the others gathering around her.

Slowly the light brightened and then a form stepped from it. She had long black hair and soft silver eyes. She moved gracefully and her feet didn’t quite touch the ground. “My children come to me.” Her voice was gentle yet firm. “My chosen ones, welcome. You have all done well in proving yourselves valiant and strong. My daughter, come and kneel before me.” Her voice sang like a perfumed breeze through young trees. She beckoned Tris forward with a caressing smile. Tris sank to her knees and Serenity laid her hands, feather light, on Tris’s shoulders.

“You have many burdens to carry, my daughter, but will be equal to the tasks set before you. Yours is the duty of Leadership, all others will come to you for guidance. Be fair and just and show mercy when you can, and you will know self-peace. That is not a gift I can give, but you yourself can find it, if you truly wish it. You shall be known to me by the name Sirafenah Nibummon.” Rising, Tris felt a tingle around her neck and Serenity’s Star rested on her breastbone. Tris smiled a true and full smile and bowed to the Goddess.

“My son, come and kneel before me.” Airidon walked to her and fell to his knees as Tris had done. “You must be the Support to your leader. She will need your strength as she leads the Circle to its destiny. Give of yourself, no matter how difficult it seems, and you will find your heart’s desire much closer than you think. You shall be known to me by the name Daret Kraymoc.” He stood, his face flushed, the Star shining against his chest.

“My daughter, come and kneel before me.” Shrina shrank away, but the gentleness in Serenity’s voice and eyes comforted the Siblen. “You will be the Sting of the Circle. When called upon, you must go without question and dispatch those who would fight against me. You will have the hardest task, for it will be your hand that will carry my judgment on Dreybrenic Greshinea. You will find true happiness when you stop fighting what cannot be and accept what already is. You shall be known to me by the name Krenealah Tsucaru.” Shrina stood, fingering her Star.

Serenity then turned to the Chameling. “My son, come and kneel before me. You will be Cunning of the Circle. My daughter, Trisinda, will come to you many times for your thoughts. Give her your honesty and you will be happy. Be patient with one who seems blind; one day the truth will be seen. You shall be known to me by the name Isspagh Grudagen.” Jehro stood and bowed to Serenity, his mind whirling.

“My daughter, come and kneel before me.” Tyra came and knelt, her head high, tears streaming from her eyes. “You will be the Wisdom of the Circle. You will be called upon to give your thoughts and will be the one who truly knows what is right. Do not doubt your knowledge and do not de-value your worth. You are a necessary part of the Circle. Show your confidence and you will find fulfillment in your life. You shall be known to me by the name Strunock Krelasha.” Tyra stood and bowed her head accepting the trust as silver flashed in the night against her chest.

“My son, come and kneel before me.” Fini stepped and knelt with crisp nervousness. He watched and heard the words, as they all had, but he was afraid of what she might tell him. “You will be the Gentling of the Circle. When times seem blackest, you will give hope and strength to those who seek you. Don’t sorrow over things you cannot change, and know that all things must happen for a reason. You will find inner peace when you let go of your anger and hate. Do not despair; I am with you, with all of you. You shall be known to me by the name Larineu Zenibed.” Fini stood shakily, his hand cupping his Star, tears filling his eyes.

“My son, come and kneel before me.” Meckin knelt and looked into the soft eyes of Serenity, trying to smile. “You will be the Determination of the Circle. You will see with clear eyes the end of the path, and will help others see it as well. You will have many difficulties finding lasting happiness, but you will have the strength to endure all. You will have many rewards for your generous spirit. You shall be known to me by the name Lebren Jeneau.” The Werman nodded, his eyes darting to Tris, then dropping.

“My son, come and kneel before me.” Korolwyn glided to the worn spot in the dirt and left his print in the dust. “You will be the Leavening of the Circle. You will be able to see humor in life and keep others laughing, even in the face of great danger. Your views on life will help others endure. Do not despair yourself; you have the respect and support of those within the Circle. Greet each new day with hope and all will be right. You shall be known to me by the name Aeryock Babriken.” The Shadow stood, then all were standing, wearing the bright Stars of Serenity, and she turned to Noshtra.

“She-Wolf, foster sister and heart friend to my daughter, come and stand before me.” Noshtra stepped forward, not sure what was needed. “Do you witness that those who stand before you are willing and worthy to be called my Champions as I have accepted them?” Noshtra gave her witness. “Then my thanks and blessing go with you, She-Wolf. Be at peace; this war will not touch you or yours.”

Serenity waited for Noshtra to leave the Circle, then faced them, her chosen. “My children, you have my Shoes, my Mantle and my Star. With these, I give you my trust. Keep it in good faith. Keep the names I have given you close to your hearts and let no man know them. You must not ever use them, but know them so when I call you, you will hear. Look always forward, to what you can do. Look to the past only for what you might learn. I now gift you one season of peace, after which you must battle for Sandeenai. The darkness grows, so rest for the time you have.” With those words and a smile, she vanished and the night closed in on the Circle once again.

“It is done.” Shægnek said and started to put the prophecy away with those fulfilled. “Wait, there is still the war to come. And the final words to fulfill. But at least the Circle is complete and I don’t have to keep so close a watch on Chaos to make sure he doesn’t mess with it.” She finished to herself and put the prophecy back. She then looked over at the one she was doing for Chaos and sighed. “Still my work is never done.”

“Why would it be, sister?” Chaos asked, coming in with a bottle of chilled wine. “Let’s celebrate the completion of part of Serenity’s prophecy. To the Circle of the Star, Serenity’s Champions, may they always shine brightly.”

Shægnek wasn’t quite sure what to make of Chaos’s words and then when Serenity joined them, she was even more confused. Serenity took the glass offered her by Chaos and returned his toast. “To my champions, may they always shine brightly.” With a shrug, Shægnek joined her siblings in their toast and decided she would never fully understand how those two ever got along.

End of Book One