The Prophecy

The Council of the Sacred Volcano | the Golden doors

In the gallery, the different people involved in the Council met, gathering by community, thought or relationship group. Conversations came from all sides and some individuals could be seen skillfully twirling from group to group. There was an air of conspiracy, as if a plot was being hatched. Half Moon looked perplex, finding this way of preparing a council of this magnitude to be a very strange way of doing things. But It was her first big council and she had many expectations, and apparently wrong assumptions: she had imagined it with calm, reverence and pomp. Instead, she felt that it was nothing but secret discussions, disgusting and mercantile alliances. She couldn't understand the reason for this, but unfortunately, she could only realize that it wasn't just human beings doing it. All the communities were engaged in these shameful bargains. She was deeply convinced of this when she saw, with her own eyes, Singing Rain, the Queen of the Walk of the Wind, representative of the Elves, and also, incidentally, her ancestor, chatting with a repulsive troll, as repulsive as a troll can be, wearing a disproportionate crown on his head.

The most secret discussions, or the riskiest ones, took place between the arcades or in the shadow of the few salons overlooking the gallery. The rest was only implied. The arrival of the other wise elves men distracted her from darker thoughts. They were delighted to see she had been able to join them. They introduced her to the elf magicians, who came from all over Innàa. She also had the joy of seeing Evening Dew again, who had come through indirect roads, having heard of the brigands' attack against the Wise Elves Men. However, Half Moon did not take her eyes off Ort, whom she had of course recognized and from whom she tried to hide. She had not been able to decide whether she should tell the Wise Elves men about her adventure or not, and for the time being it was easier for her to keep quiet. Something else was troubling her, however, and she decided that another woman could understand her better. So, she took Dew to a less crowded place.

_ Did you witness the arrival of the Lince? she asked abruptly.

_ Yes! answered Evening Dew, enthusiastic. What a wonder, isn't it? And the song of the Sirens which accompanied it was a pure wonder!

_ Yes, yes, she replied not wanting to be diverted from her thoughts. But there is something I found... how can I put it? Strange. When King Adjuva introduced her, he gave her a name, apart from Lince of Water, it was... Narcínn....

_ d'Astínn, yes, that's his name: Narcínn d'Astínn. Why the question?

_ Astínn as the city of Astínn? said Half Moon with wide-eyes.

_ Yes, yes quite, the City of the Demis, the Cursed City. He was from there when he was still mortal. Of course, everything changed when he became Innàa's Lince...

_ How is that possible? I thought they were all under the curse?!  Half Moon hastily said.

_No, said Evening Dew, suddenly understanding the other's confusion. In fact, only those who were in the immediate vicinity of the City were subjected to the curse. Some Demis absent from their homes are still with us. Narcínn was the eldest son of Alexis the Fair, King of Astínn. He was also the captain of the King's naval fleet. It was on this occasion that he met his wife, the Queen of the Sirens. Finally, all this is really a long story, and I don't think this is the right place to talk about it.

Half Moon nodded. She didn't know everything yet, but it was getting there. She smiled, as if satisfied with herself. She noticed that the Great Pope had finally decided to join the group of the Wise Elves men. So, the two magicians made their way to him.

Finally, suddenly, silence fell on its own without warning. The numerous guests approached the Gates and the King of the Walk of the Prophecies, accompanied by the leaders of the Seven Walks, and the Walk of the Seas, stepping towards them. The vaults of the gates were filled with a sparkling, resonant music as His Majesty Adjuva laid his hands on one of the most beautifully decorated parts of the gates. It sounded as if he was whispering something, but it was inaudible, even to the highly trained ears of the elves. Finally, the doors began to glow bright orange-yellow from the inside. And without a squeak, they opened.

A dazzling white light invaded the Hall of Mirrors, which reflected it in hundreds of beams of light. It was a delicious enchantment. On the other side of the Gates, the corridor was curved. It looked like a kind of bridge over a river. But it didn't span over anything. This is what Half Moon thought when she detailed the corridor that had just been revealed. Two arms lifted her up and literally pulled her away towards the corridor. It was Childeric and Siegfried amused by the young girl astonishment.

_ This is the Lost Steps Corridor, Quicksilver said, following them closely. Strange construction, isn't it? Look on each side, you'll understand.

The young wise elves men freed her from their hold so she could approach the windows that lined the path. There were countless windows along the corridor, which made this place so illuminated. As she approached one of them, she saw. And she understood in a fraction of a second. Amazed. This corridor was indeed a bridge! And what it spanned was emptiness!

_ Come on Half Moon, let me explain, said Old Bear, taking her by the arm and walking with her towards another door, far away, at the opposite end of the corridor.

Half Moon let herself be led obediently, she could see that Evening Dew had been warned before, for she stood exactly in the middle of the corridor and only allowed herself to fix the doors in front of her. Evening Dew was afraid of heights.

_ What you see, continued the Pope when he was assured that his young protégée was listening, "is indeed the Corridor of the Lost Steps. It is a bridge that connects the Golden Palace to the Council Chamber. This room is unique. It was not built on the ground but... above the Sacred Volcano.

Half Moon watched him in terror.

_Do not panic, young lady. The best workers of the four communities built this hall and it was the object of the highest magical rituals. You will easily understand that its location was not by chance. The Sacred Volcano Council Hall is located exactly above the center of the Volcano's crater, a major telluric site. When we'll enter this room, whose technical and architectural innovation you will appreciate, there will be a certain protocol that it is our duty to respect. Listen carefully as time is running out. The room is shaped like an inverted cone. The Royals and ruling families enter first and move towards the middle, at the very bottom of the room. In the center is a sort of podium, where the President of the Council stands, and that's where the speakers go. Around him, therefore, the Kings and Queens. You'll see it's simple, the hall is divided by four large staircases that lead to the bleachers. Conventionally, each section of the grandstand thus delimited, belongs to a community. Wars must be avoided, he winked, visibly wanting to reassure Half Moon. Then the one who presides enters, settled in. He is followed by the Sages of the four communities. In their turn, the Magi and Magicians, the prophets, the storytellers, and finally the seers, who thus find themselves at the top of the room. The doors are then closed. The president makes a speech, states the reasons for holding a council and then gives the floor to anyone who wants to speak. This is your first council, so, allow me an advice: observe at length before you speak, and be sure you have facts to back up your arguments. Without that, no one will listen to you. Even if you are right.

Half Moon nodded, beginning to understand better and better what was going on there. She was grateful to the Great Pope for presenting the delicate protocol in person. He smiled at her, as if he had read her mind. He withdrew to the sound of a triangle, joining his counterparts. The Blue Golden Doors that gave access to the Council Chamber had been opened during their conversation and already Adjuva's family, who were closing the march of the Royal families, were entering the Chamber. Then it was the turn of the High Wise Men, the Wise Men, and then the Magi guild. Like a night owl, Half Moon followed when the voice of the Herald called the Magicians to enter the hall. In the crowd she saw again Evening Dew who seemed to be more than apprehensive to enter. Half Moon took her hand and both of them passed through the gates.