Blood Moon

Part 1

Anxiously fixing the skirts of her dress for what must have been the hundredth time, she looked up the final set of stairs that would lead to her destination. An audience chamber with the Empress - Koroza, she corrected herself - where she would receive her first formal mission as a graduated Spellweaver.

With a pounding heart, from both fear and the numerous flights of winding stairs, the guards led her up and into an expansive cavern. There in the center of the room sat a massive white and silver dragon, scales absolutely gleaming in the light of the bewitched torches, brazers, and enormous chandelier. Abruptly, the guards that flanked her stomped twice, raised their right firsts to their foreheads, and dipped into deep bows. She hastily copied their salute with her heart in her throat.

The moment of stillness felt like a lifetime but was soon brought to an end by a smooth command to rise. The voice of the dragon was unlike anything she had ever heard. The one simple word reverberated across the entire cavern with depth and power but also a lightness that indicated this dragon was indeed female - or onara, she again corrected herself mentally. She sent a quick prayer to what ever god would be listening to help prevent her from messing up verbally.

Now standing upright again, she took in the raw beauty of the leader before her. Gazing upon the Koroza was like gazing upon a star, lighting the room with a brightness that matched that of the full moon. Silver horns, claws, and underscales refracted the low light in small dazzling flashes. Behind the dragon were two tunnels, a larger on the left and a slightly smaller on the right.

Out of the right tunnel came a small wizened looking elf that was dwarfed by the large dragon who's form dominated her attention. Ever since the last war all elves had gone into hiding. The last thing she had expected to see was an elf. In true elf fashion, at least according to tales, she seemed to glide across the room, even at what must have been a very old age for an elf and her eyes held an unnatural brightness.

"Welcome Ellora Spellweaver," the Koroza began regally, "I welcome you to Capital City and thank you for you hasty arrival. I would also like to introduce you to Veronwe - my official seer."

"Greetings, Ellora. You have become quite a beautiful young lady and a powerful sorceress since we last met." Veronwe's eyes glittered with mirth.

"Pardon me," Ellora said, "I do not recall ever meeting you, m' lady."

"My dear, I was at your birth! I know who you are," the elf said conspiratorially, "and I am still saddened by your family's loss - I along with the other midwives did our best."

"Thank you," she said diplomatically, mind flashing back to the portrait in the great hall, "but I never knew her so..."

"Yes of course," the elderly woman sighed, "however the loss of a mother still shouldered you with great responsibilities. Even if you were born in the light. Now - Your Majesty?"

The great dragon shifted positions, "Ellora we called you here not because of your heritage but because you are the most promising graduate of your class, and of many years."

"Thank you, Your Grace," Ellora said with a curtsy.

"Veronwe has received what seems to be a prophecy which may be connected to the attacks in the northern reaches of the Empire. And possibly the death of my son. Guards," the dragon now fixed her piercing silver eyes on the males - glavrozii - beside her, "please go fetch my child so they may also hear this - then you are dismissed to return to your command posts."

"Yes, Your Majesty." And with that they marched around the cavern and into the left tunnel.

"Now while they go, Veronwe has told me of your oath. I understand you wish it to remain a secret so it shall, I have not told my child or any other members selected for this quest," the Koroza finished.