Starfall

Prologue

                                                              Sheltim, year 156 of the 6th century

     Should've been a farmer, Ashvika thought as she sliced through a man's throat. Much less work. She finished off the man, kicking him to the ground.

     Ash spun around and caught another man in the throat, his red blood burbling to his throat. His eyes went unfocused, and he slumped to the ground.

     A job well done, thought Ash, who was wiping her hands on one of the men's shirt. These men were actually bodyguards for the High Lord Kelen, who was currently dead in his own bathtub.

     Yawning, Ash put her dark hood back up, stepping over bodies of heavily-armored guards. As she opened the wooden door, she looked one more time at the grisly scene before she slipped into the night, hiding herself.

     The moonless night also hid another, watching Ash.

-X-

Oklahdence, year 156 of the 6th century

     "Today's training!" yelled a cheerful voice. The voice continued to tromp around the barracks, shaking people until they woke up.

     When the voice, or rather Cy, came over to Danyel's bunk, Danyel swatted him in the nose and rolled back over. "Oh, come on Danyel. We have to go to the training arena!" Cy pleaded.

     Danyel groaned, slowly getting up. "Do we have to?" he complained, but shook off the covers and made his bed anyway. Cy, the youngest of the newly-appointed knights, was bouncing up and down beside Danyel.

     "Wow, I can't wait. Can you? I just love being a knight. Do you think we'll ever go off to battle? Do you think sooner or later?" Cy asked, in a rapid-fire voice. Danyel rolled his eyes and ignore Cy, who had already turned away. Honestly, how did that boy ever become a knight?

     No matter. Danyel had to train, and he had to do that now.

     But Danyel did not see nor hear the figure outside the window

-X-

Eve Thalas, year 156 of the 6th century

     Seren Blackwood was making a considerably foul-smelling brew. She stirred the glob of a potion, straining her small muscles to stir the thick potion. She added a sprinkling of crushed black-thorn rose.

     The brew instantly reacted, flaming, almost burning Seren's eyebrows off. She jumped back instantly, thanking her elven instincts. Seren dusted off her smock, wincing at the mess she had created. Master Wironin would not be happy at the mess.

     And that was another matter. Where was Master Wironin anyway? He had disappeared weeks ago without a trace.

     Well, it's not my fault. He always disappears, one time for a whole month! Seren thought moodily.

     She started to sweep up the ash, muttering about how 'ash is so hard to get off the floor' and 'wish magic could clean this up'.

     Seren Blackwood did not notice the shape hovering at the open window behind her, nor that it flew up into the clouds.

-X-

Somewhere in the Heavens

    "Have you decided, eldest?" rumbled a deep voice.

     "Yes. They are the three." came an answer.

     Another voice broke in. "How can you be sure? Perhaps the Starfall is not upon them!"

     The eldest interrupted: "It is, youngest. Middle and I know it is the Starfall; the signs are upon us. As are the guardians." Eldest sighed heavily. "I can already feel the effects myself."

     "Let us hope the guardians can stop it," Middle said, sounding tired.

     Indeed.