Voices of Legend: Ode to Logathara

Prologue: Part Five

Sithana locked her knees in an effort to keep herself from being beaten onto the sand. The three women standing behind her began to slowly lower their arms, palms now directed towards the High Priestess. As their arms fell, translucent energy pulled from the High Priestess in columns into their palms. 

The three sisters slowly pulled from the energy that beat at the High Priestess. As they pulled, they were also able to see the visions granted her. More importantly, they were able to support the High Priestess by pulling away some of the energy that beat down on her, keeping the flesh, bone, and soul from being stripped away by the amass of energy that was being bestowed upon her.

Galdon still kneeled, ten paces away, bracing himself against the unnatural sandstorm that pushed against his back. His feet were buried in the sand. 

He couldn't see the High Priestess or her Sisters, but he could feel his birth-rit pulsating in his blood as it responded to the onslaught of energy that he saw come down from the sky.

Suddenly it ended, leaving behind a swaying Sithana and breathless priestesses. They looked tired and unsteady, but they all interlocked their hands to support each other as they stood.

"Come here, cousin," breathed Sithana. Her voice was heavy and weak.

Galdon stood and walked forward until he was but a foot away from her. He looked down on the High Priestess. She seemed much smaller now. She did not tower over anyone, but instead was just a woman weighed down with unwanted responsibility.

Sithana placed her index finger in the space between Galdon's brow. "The vision that was shown to me was meant for you to see as well."

Galdon's body stiffened. His eyes burned and his vision blurred, but in his mind, a vision unfolded. 

He saw a beautiful lady. Her hair was long. It cascaded down her back. It was black. 

No. It was more like midnight, like midnight blue. 

No, she was not a lady. She was a queen. 

She was walking down a corridor. 

No. It's a hall... in the North Wing of the Palace of Galandad. 

She was wearing... the cape of the kings of Galandad. She held the Orn. 

She is not Galadian. 

She looked familiar to him, but why? He'd never seen her before. He would have remembered someone like her. 

She was beautiful. 

She walked like she was angry. 

No. She walked with authority, with presence.

The vision ended. Galdon opened his eyes and peered down at the High Priestess. She lowered her arm and took a step back to meet his stare.

"So, I will be overthrown then," he said with resignation, yet searching for answers within the High Priestess's eyes. "Someone else will hold my thrown."

"Someone else will hold your thrown, true," she replied.

Galdon roared to the sky. Grasping his hands behind his head he turned and stalked a few paces away shaking his head.

"Then who is this woman," he asked turning back to Sithana. "Why do I feel like I should know her already?"

"You will never know this woman. Your kingdom is safe in these times, Galdon. However, you must follow the omens of Logath to guide you through these troubled times. Your obedience to gods Logath will determine the Fate of the King of Galandad."

Galdon breathed heavily as he leaned his head back on his palms. "The omens told me to come to you. I saw Mount Sonsi in a dream and I knew it meant I had to come here." 

He turned his head as if looking out across the sand-blown mountains, but in his mind came visions of bloodshed, torn bodies of Galadian men at arms.

"The answer you are given is to follow the omens out of these troubled times. House Bana will hold the thrown." Sithana walked up to him, placed her hand on his cheek and smiled.

Though they were cousins, he was much different than she was. Where her skin was bronzed, his was white and pink from exposure to the sun. His eyes were a beautiful blue with a hit of Galadian green. His hair and beard were thick and golden, almost blinding in the sun's light. He had always been a handsome child, and that had not changed in his adult years.

Galdon raised his hand and placed his on her cheek as well. "Thank you, cousin. I will listen to what you See." He then pulled her hand from his face, kissing it softly before releasing it and allowing it to fall back to her side.

"Silza, Sister, please come forward," the High Priestess Spoke, still looking up at her cousin.

The priestess with the dark skin and white hair released the others' hands and walked up beside her.

"Yes, High Priestess," Silza said. She looked at Galdon for a moment, then turned to Sithana, briefly bowing he head.

"You will accompany King Galdon to Galandad and be his omen reader during these times ahead."

"Yes, High Priestess," she said bowing her head once again.

"While you are away, our birth-rit connection will be weakened, but I will hear your words and you will hear mine if there is need at the peak and depth of day. We have practiced this, no?" The High Priestess asked.

"Yes, High Priestess," Silza replied.

Galdon was a little surprised that this odd-looking woman was born with the birth-rit, but it could only be true. To be a Priestess of Logathara you must be a descendant of Alsongod. Bastardy makes no difference. But you must also be chosen by gods Logath. How did this woman have both?

Sithana turned to stand in front of her Sister and wrapped her in an embrace. She burrowed her nose into that sea of white hair and kissed her Sister on the ear. When she released the dark woman, the woman took a step back and, again, bowed her head.

"Take leave, Sister, and gather provisions for your journey. You will meet King Galdon at the base of Mount Sonsi."

"Yes, High Priestess." Silza turned and glided across the flat peak, her long hair waving in the heat. A small sandstorm appeared and engulfed the woman. When it settled, she had vanished.

Sithana turned back to look up at Galdon. "Take your leave cousin, I pray to gods Logath that we see each other again. Take care of Sister Silza and she will take care of you. The court may take no pleasure in her presence, but she is my strongest in divinity and will be a valued guide. Follow the omens through these troubled times. House Bana will hold the throne."

With her parting words, she stepped backward. Another sandstorm lifted from the ground around the woman. When the sand settled, she and the other priestesses were gone.

Galdon wondered how he was going to make it back down to the bottom of Mount Sonsi.

***End of Prologue***