Legends Lost: Amborese

Chapter II -- Moving Onward

Kylanisha listened to the grumblings of the soldiers in the tunnel. A dead end blocked their path. What would have been their exit was nothing more than an immense pile of rock, save for a small opening near the top just big enough for a cat to squeeze through. Halidar had been involved in a discussion with his men for over an hour now. "Where do we go from here?" one of them asked.

Halidar released a huge sigh. He refused to turn back, but did not like this unfortunate change of events. "There must be another way out." Several men spoke at once. There had been no other path to follow in the tunnel. No one knew where to begin searching for a different exit.

"Enough," he yelled, "We will rest here tonight. In the morning, we will search for another way out."

Kylanisha read the expressions of disappointment on the soldiers' faces. For a solid day they had traveled through the tunnel only to be stopped by a cave in. Now that day was lost to time. The fairy herself was disappointed. She had led them here. Kylanisha nestled in a secluded area of the cave. "You mustn't blame yourself," said a familiar voice.

Kylanisha gave a slight smile to Sposa. "I am the one that led them here. Now I am afraid we will never reach Amborese in time."

"It is not the end, Kylanisha. We will reach Amborese, even if we must turn back. She believes in us, we must not lose faith in ourselves."

"That hole is just big enough for someone your size," said Kylanisha.

"You are not talking me into another solo exploit," said Sposa. "I still remember someone ordering me to wander around a gorge full of Iorks." The cat shuddered in her fur at the memory. She walked off and curled up in a corner. Kylanisha listened to the mumbles of the people around her. Gradually, her eyes grew heavy until she drifted to sleep.

Afterwards, Kylanisha found herself in the most peculiar place. The sky stretched out above her and the stars watched as she moved silently across the ground. Soft grass tickled her toes. She noticed a large bird sitting on a rock. She recognized this bird immediately as the phoenix, even though she had never seen it before. Much to her amazement, the phoenix spoke to her. "I have been expecting you," it said.

"Who are you," Kylanisha asked. She knew better than to ask, but the question slipped out before she could stop herself.

The phoenix responded, "I am the fire that warms you at night. I am the earth you tread upon. I am the wind that whispers in your ear. I am the water that you drink for life." The phoenix transformed into a man as it spoke. Kylanisha could only make out the shape, but no defining characteristics because of a blinding light surrounding him. She stepped back in fear. "Daughter of the earth, listen and hear me well. I have summoned you here this night to answer the pleas of those within the cave. Send the cat through the hole in the rock. She will find another path for you to take."

"She will not go willingly."

"Sposa will do what she must." The figure paused for a moment. "Speak your thought, young one."

Kylanisha took a deep breath. "Why not speak to Sposa directly?"

"She has wandered the earth aimlessly for three hundred years and no longer hears my voice. Among all your kin you are the most attuned to the whisperings of the world. Many hear my voice, but do not listen. Many listen, but do not hear. You are the youngest of the fairies and still remember how to hear and listen to the voices of the earth, my voice. No more questions," he finished before Kylanisha could speak. "Rest, daughter of the earth."

The figure faded before Kylanisha. She found herself once more in the cave as she woke from her dream. Exasperated, she was beginning to hate dreams.