The Prophecy

5th Mouvement: Zephir

Plains of the Dragons

10 Lion 1307 – mi-zen

Til she ran out of breath. Flavie had been galloping until breathless for many hours. Astínn was far away now. The howling of the wolves held by the harrow had steadily decreased until it was nothing more than a haunting murmur that penetrated and twisted the soul like drizzle, the body. For, alas, the clearing had been only of short duration, barely enough to allow the small group of Half-Moon to break through Astínn. Once again, they were walking along the old road that went straight down to the South, "The Luminous" was its name in the past. But the dull and pale weather made this name derisory, almost ironic.

Flavie was running straight ahead of her, not knowing exactly where her steps were taking her, because the wall formed by the light rain was obstructing any overall view of the panorama. Half Moon, listening only to her instincts, guided her in the right direction. Only her bright green eyes emerged from the shadow of the hood. All the ardor of her being was reflected through these two green mirrors. Nothing else could have betrayed her strength and determination. It was all the truer because her attitude was the most despondent. Her drooping shoulders, bent back and tired legs showed her tiredness. Not to mention the water she was soaked with, which made the skin of her hands shine and which she felt like an extra weight on her shoulders.

Far, far away, Fenril was panting. It was impossible for him to match Flavie's speed. Courageous, he resumed his race as soon as he could, catching up with her, but, exhausted again, he had to make a stop; and this exact same kind of pattern and been on and on for a few lunias, now.

That could have lasted thus eternally but, whereas Flavie still accelerated the step to climb a hillock, everything tumbled. Half Moon felt the danger like a lightning bolt in her soul but before she could warn her mount, he was already on them. It was hotter than embers and faster than lightning. They had no way to avoid it and she struck them brutally. Flavie reared up and was pushed back to the bottom of the hill. Half Moon, thrown violently sideways, crashed against a rock in a horrible crash, it was one of those stone sentinels that punctuated the path along the old road. Fenril, in spite of the distance, had heard the deflagration. He rushed over. Half Moon was stunned, her whole body hurting so bad. She tried to get up, dragging herself up using the asperities of the rock she had crashed against, but, under the pressure of her hand, the rock fell to dust. That was what awaited her if it attacked her again.

But she felt it again. She would have liked to get up, to find a safer shelter, but her forces abandoned her, as if by magic. Magic. Yes, that was it. Very powerful magic. No, not powerful, elemental rather. Who? With effort, she turned her head that weighed more than it used to. She wanted to see. To see who wanted her dead. Finally, she knew. That! That was it! Suddenly the restraints broke. The pain dissipated, the rock re-formed as if the burning lightning had never struck her, and Half Moon was able to rise. She immediately moved towards "that":

_Don't come any closer young being or I'll roast you!

_ So, you're afraid of me, while I...

_ Aren't you afraid of me? he said astonished.

_ You are too beautiful to be mean. I mean really mean.

_ Do not provoke me or I'll show you my true form! Don't come any closer!

_ Okay. I won't move if you tell me your name!

_ Certainly not!

_ And why not?

_ It's none of your business. It's my secret!