Crystal Shade Episodes 01

never understood why, but most of the Aserian pieces were based on their belief of the Crystal Shade; she just loved all the Aserian plays that told at least one fragment from that legend, that untouchable myth. It seemed its story was endless and as all the Aserian pieces were different, they always added something new to her favourite legend. This time, she missed the great battle from the play, - where the Aserians fight and defeat their legendary nemeses, the Shaina, the legions of darkness, the harbingers of death -, and she was a bit disappointed. She felt that all the plays had some sort of basis in reality, just as her mother always told her.
    Someday I will find the truth about the Crystal Shade, she thought. Someday, but not today, Gracie my dear, the sleepy part of her thoughts argued, and her other, less sleepy part agreed.
    “But why do they not stay together if they love each other?” little Aurora asked curiously, who sat on her father’s knee while she crossed her arms and raised her eyebrow at him.
    Good question, sister, Grace thought while she clapped and smiled at her little sister. Even if she was five, Aurora saw many things and never hesitated to ask.
    Eion looked kindly at Aurora. Grace listened, also wanting to hear her father’s explanation while she clapped further.
    “Sometimes circumstances force people to leave someone or something behind that they love,” Eion explained to his little daughter. “Someday, maybe you must leave someone behind too. Maybe you will leave your entire life behind to achieve a greater goal and protect someone that you love.”
    “If I love someone, I will never let that one go. Never!” Aurora stated in her small, determined way.
    “I know, my little angel. I know,” Eion planted a kiss on Aurora’s forehead.
    “I will never let you go, Daddy,” she said, throwing her arms around her father’s neck.
    Eion lightly stroked Aurora’s nose. Grace knew that her sister loved this and Aurora was already smiling. Then her little sister yawned.
    Margey looked fondly from Aurora to Eion. “We should go home.” Eion’s tender smile answered her. Grace watched her mother lean closer to Eion and kiss his cheek. “Thank you for this wonderful night.”
    “Anything for my kind audience,” her father bowed his head to her. “Let’s go home.”
    Home, thought Grace, but her mind was so tired. Yes. I should go home. Mother is waiting for me. I know she is calling me. She is calling all of us. But I’m so tired. I want to sleep in my soft feathery bed.
    The Great Hall slowly dissolved in her mind. She was awakened again, yet somehow she was unable to completely wake. Grace didn’t remember opening her eyes. A few larger dark clouds covered Eecrys Aredia’s eternal little guardian, Carenia Seli, and the stars. The smoke didn’t hurt her eyes anymore, even if it did still whirl around her.
    Where am I? she thought fondly before looking around. Somehow everything was different, even the smoke that surrounded her. But confused, she couldn’t explain what.
    Blue smoke? she thought in awe. It covers everything. It’s beautiful. It’s so different from the blanket of orange and red silk that I’m afraid of. But why? I don’t know. The blue smoke is like dancing velvet. It’s calming me.
    Something splat on the ground once, and then repeatedly.
    It’s raining, she chuckled to herself. Tomorrow morning will be great. I love the wet, cold mornings after night storms when the wind carries the smell of the passed rain.
    Grace looked around and noticed something familiar in the smoke. Her beloved papyrus scroll pamphlet sat on the ground under a large chunk of curved metal. Her small arven pencil sat beside it. The pages ruffled lightly in the breeze, but they stayed under cover. She watched small raindrops hit the top of the metal, slowly glide down the shiny surface, and then after a short freefall, plop into the small puddle near the pamphlet.
    My papyrus scrolls are safe. I will draw on you soon. But not now. I should sleep. I hear the howling of a mingan. It is not so far. Maybe it’s the Daharra. I’m so sleepy, she almost whined to herself. I want to sleep and dream. But that night. What a beautiful night it was .
    Her soul dimly heard the wind sigh, which brought another beautiful memory to the surface while her dreams embraced her. She heard a wind like the soft stroke of wing tips, a silver Anshara.
    “Ane, rhe, shaia,” her own voiced counted