The Stone of Lamfedios

The Stone of Lamfedios 6

- 6 -

 The first thing Gemma noticed was that she was no longer looking at a vivid picture, but was a part of it. A woman, in her middle years, was standing and regarding her in a concerned way. Like Gemma she appeared slightly startled. Gemma felt calm in the woman's presence and ventured a closer glance. She noticed that the woman was shorter than she had first thought, and only a little taller than herself. The woman's features were finer and she was beautiful, Gemma sensed that a great part of that beauty came from within. In the stranger's dark hair Gemma saw that small turquoise stones had been delicately plaited. The woman smiled. 'I am Charia, Elder of the Cliff people. You are welcome in my home.'

 'Thank you, I'm Gemma,' she said nervously. She was not going to panic. 'How did I get here?'

 'I brought you.'

 Gemma turned and saw an elderly man with long grey hair, and a short beard. His eyes were so deep that he seemed to be looking right inside her.

 'I am Tiarnis, the Stone Mage. I am glad you like my present.'

 Gemma looked at the amber stone he was holding and saw that it was similar to the one tightly grasped in her left hand, the one that had mysteriously appeared on her bedside cabinet. She had been looking at a picture inside it just a few moments before. She was now inside the image. Her right hand tingled. She remembered the snow flake stone.

 The man continued, 'Our time is limited, you must trust us Gemma. It will save much time if I explain the little I know in just a few moments. Please excuse me.'

 Gemma gasped as her eyes followed him out of the door and apparently into space.

 A wave of confusion swept over her. Was she dreaming? Had she fallen asleep over her revision? It certainly had been boring but that was too rational, dreams never had a logical thread. 'I must pinch myself.' Gemma pinched her hand, but nothing changed.

 The woman spoke with a reassuring voice. 'It's all right he has gone to fetch the remainder of our small Council they will be with us in a few moments. We have been awaiting your arrival. Come and take your place at our table. Charia pulled a carved wooden chair from under the large circular table.

 As Gemma waited she felt flustered, like in the dentist's waiting room. She looked down at the solid table, noticing that it was made of stone. Perhaps it had been carved out of the same rusty brown rock as the walls of the chamber and then highly polished. The walls themselves were matt and hung with bright tapestries depicting forests and on some there were people hunting.

 Charia tried to make the girl feel more at ease. 'Don't be alarmed Gemma. This is our world, it may seem strange to you, but you are amongst friends.' The woman's voice was reassuring and as she spoke she had an air of calm. Although she felt confused, Gemma felt that she could trust her.

 Women of all ages now slowly entered the room and took their places around the table. A young woman only a few years older than Gemma took the seat beside her, smiling in a bashful way. She was introduced by the name of Sgiax. All the women wore gold plaited belts around their waists, their gowns long and brightly coloured. Tiarnis was the last to return.

 'Thank you for being patient,' said Tiarnis. 'For those of you not present when she arrived, this is Gemma. She is from the world where the Stone of Lamfedios was hidden. She is the appointed Keeper.'

  There was a gasp from the people sat around the table.

 'But she is young.' Said one of the Council