Child of the Moon

Chapter 6- Sapphire

On my second day in Swarcon, I searched for the angel again. I followed my intuition- something I had foolishly ignored yesterday- and found her in an underground cave. I peered inside, and I heard her sweet, clear, pure voice singing. I knew that I had found her.

         “Angel!” I called, my voice resounding dimly. The voice ended abruptly. I traipsed onto the earthy steps that lead down to the cave.

         Sapphire floated dreamily towards the front of the cave. She saw me standing on the steps. In a voice that was more pure than a slow-flowing, clear-watered brook, and more melodious than the meadowlark, she said, “I am Sapphire; welcome, dreamer.” Sapphire’s deep blue eyes, eyes that clearly inspired her name, glowed with a startling intensity. “Please, come.” She motioned fluidly towards the fathomed depths of her cave. Her flawless face portrayed endless kindness and patience, beckoning and calling towards me.

         “Thank you,” I said to Sapphire. I walked inside, my step light and silent. “Who are you?“

The Angel smiled. “I am Sapphire Meadowmusic. My body was formed over five hundred years ago. My hair and skin was formed from the sands of the Nile River, and my eyes were formed from the depth of the river. The Spirits who lived near the river so many years ago shaped my features, and when my body was ready, my angelic soul entered my body. When I saw for the first time, I saw the people of the river. They were short-lived spirits, who lived a hundred years or less. When famine swept the area, most of the spirits died. With none of my Creators still near me, I left.

         “I was perhaps one hundred and twenty years of age at this time. I traveled for many years, aimlessly, before I found my way to Belledge, the capitol of this land. There, I met the kind Fairie Queen Cécile who rules this land. She told me that I had been created with a purpose and coerced a promise from me. She then prompted me to travel south, to here.

         “I listened to the Good Queen and traveled here. The townspeople were very accepting of me, but they worshipped me. I did not care to be worshipped, and when I found this cave, I decided to live here.

         “Yes, the last four hundred years have been lonely, but spirits come from time to time. This life suits me. I have focused my magic to the point where I am powerful enough to fulfill my promise to Queen Cécile of the Fairies. I have waited, and you, young spirit, have finally been born. It is time for me to obey Queen Cécile.”

         Surprised at her tale, I stood in silence for several moments. Instead of commenting on her history, I simply said, “Angel, I have seen you before. I had a vision of you.”

         Sapphire smiled. “I know, starling. I sent it to you. You were meant to come to me, for I hold many answers... As do you.” She glanced at me speculatively before continuing. “What I told you then holds true now; you have harkened to my call, and it shall shape your fate.”

         “I have come to you to find my power.” I said gently as Sapphire nodded knowingly. “How shall I find it, dear Angel?”

         “A Moon Crystal,” Sapphire murmured.

         “What?” I asked, startled.

         “We will find your Moon Crystal. You will then find that you can tap into your power.” Sapphire said with certainty. Her voice was filled with clarity and peace. Compassion and delight shone in her deep eyes. She smiled tenderly. “Child, a Moon Crystal will be the source of your power. The crystal is formed of the finest grains of sand from the moon. They are created when a Mother begins a new generation, so that there is not a surplus. Each child of the moon has one Crystal, necessary for them to access any power.”

         I gazed at her, confused. “A Mother? But Spirit, you must be mistaken. I was an accident of genetics; my birth-mother had no care for me.” I dimly remembered William calling us cousins because his mother was a Moon Spirit, but I paid no heed to that.

         Sapphire laughed melodiously. “She is not your Mother, dear. Your mother was another Moon Spirit, one who entrusted you to Jezzine’s care.”

         “Entrusted me to Jezzine?” I asked incredulously. “No Spirit in their right mind would do that, Angel.” I spoke respectfully, but doubt colored my tone.

         “Ah, but you are alive and unharmed now, no?” Sapphire’s knowing gaze pierced me. “Jezzine is corrupt, certainly. Most royals are, of any species. Jezzine hates you and your kind- those with good, pure, incorruptible hearts. She will kill anyone close to you, and that includes your ‘twin’, the compassionate child. Your Mother knew this and placed you there to stop her. Jezzine twas bound to care for you, and that she has fulfilled. Beware; no such oath binds her any longer. She knows the intent of which you were placed in her clan with. The next time she finds you she will try to kill you. Never doubt that, little one. And that is why you must find your power, and why you are here.”

         I heard the truth of her words. Questions flooded my mind- had she known my Mother? Was that why she was helping me? How did she know so much about me? However, I simply swallowed my questions and they sank like stones to my stomach. I only said, “How shall I find my power?”

         Expectancy shone in her gaze as she drifted with grace and freedom further towards the back of her cave. She glanced at a map, and her understanding eyes widened as she noted a single city upon the map.

         Sapphire’s eyes glinted. “We should travel to Belledge. The capitol holds answers.”