Oct. Contest Entry #9

[Aredhel]

The stories submitted to Vanguard Spheres have not been edited, unless done by request to the author. We encourage responses to the content, as they will be taken into consideration in the judging. Enjoy! ~A~

Beta-Slot Entry #9

As the sun cast the last shadows of the day Athena woke with a start, freezing cold regardless of the sweat that drenched her body. These dreams were becoming more and more frequent. At first she thought it would be something that she would just pass through. Maybe it still was and it was just going to get worse before it got better. Or maybe....she would rather not think about that. She shook her head as she put on her robe and cloak. She was going to have to do something about this, but what? She made up her mind to go see the town wise man about this. He was an old shaman who lived on the outskirts of town in a little cabin.

By the time she made her way out the door night had already fallen but she could see very easily. The Kurashasa, her people, were nocturnal by nature. She walked silently down the moonlit path, replaying the dream over and over in her head. She was trying to think just how to phrase it for the wise man, Harbon.

It would start with her as a child playing in out in the vast desert with her father in their home land of Qalia. He was teaching her about the ways of the land. When sudenly she turned to see him gone. She searches for him in these ruthless sand dunes to no avail. When she grew weary she made her way back to the village. The sight she beheld there was one of utter dismay. The village was up in flames. Mothers were crying out for their children and fathers were fighting unseen enemies to protect their homes and loved ones. Blood shed was all around her as she stood helpless in this fight. She searched through this village for her mother and father, but they were nowhere to be found. Then suddenly everything around her began to fall away. She was there in this deserted land in a uniform of the fighters of her land. She held a sharp sword in one hand and a heavy steel shield in the other. The ruins of her childhood home still stood where they used to and the place was eerie and quiet. The wind blew some sand aside and she noticed a small amulet in the sand. It had an emblem of a noble fighter. She had seen her father wear one like it many years ago. Once she put it one things around her started to change, and in a flash the village was there again. Families were together, children ran about as mothers fixed dinner and fathers came in from long days of work. The village was peaceful again. Then she would wake.

This dream always made her think of the day she came here, to this land so far from home. It seemed so much different. The ominous sand dunes that overshadowed all were replaced by castles and motes. Horses gave way to dragons and the heat and searing sun to cloudy, rain filled days. She remembered her father saying she would be needed one day, that there were things she just didn't understand yet but she had to go somewhere far away, somewhere he knew she would be safe. Once she arrived here she stayed with a man named Azul. He would train her day after day in the rules of battle and diplomacy. She was left to care for herself most times. She would hunt and feed alone. She would tutor herself and teach herself how to survive.

It had been 18 years she had been living here; still unsure of the reason she was here. She asked the Harbon many times and each time he would tell her that when she was ready she would know why she was here. Now on her way to see him she hoped she could finally know why she had been sent away.

As she approached the house she notice the old man sitting outside his house. He was waiting for her, she could tell.

"Ahh, My dearest Athena I knew I could count on a visit from you tonight." He whispered. His voice was low but firm. She could hear the wisdom in it.

"I came to tell you about a dream I've been having. Quite frequently now I wake up sweating and freezing cold." She told him.

"I see. Come into my house; tell me more about this dream, would you?" Although he phrased it as a question it was not, Harbon never asked questions because he already knew the answers.

Quickly she began to relay all the events of her dream to him. She watched his eyes for any hint of what this might mean but they gave away nothing.

Once her story was finished he nodded his head and told her to sit because he had a story for her.

"I was placed in charge of you many years ago. Wise men of long ago foresaw your placement upon our earth. You will mean great things to your homeland. You were sent here away from danger to train. Your home has fallen victim to terrible wars and misery. Only you will be able to protect your land from this evil. When you were ready I was to send you home to help protect your land. Athena you are ready. The adventure back home will be a long perilous one. Many will try to stop you on your journey. But my faith is with you as is that of the Gods. You will begin your return home tomorrow. You will do great things on the way. Your people are counting on you Athena. I know you will not fail them. But rest now. You have much ahead of you tomorrow."

[Taronn Anvilmarr]

again, way too short. But then again that is why i dont read comics. Needs a table of contents and chapters...would like a list of volumes even better.

lol.

good start though.