Darkwalker on Moonshae - Douglas Niles [22]
Suddenly the waters of the Moonwell parted with a soft plop, and a tiny creature emerged from the silvery liquid. With some surprise, the druids watched a small frog cross the ground to the space between one pair of pillars in the center of the ring. In a sudden instant the frog was gone and Genna Moonsinger, Great Druid of Gwynneth, stood before the assembly.
As Genna appeared in her normal guise, so did the moon reach its zenith. Its brilliant light spilled between the two pillars and illuminated the Great Druid for all the rest to see.
Genna Moonsinger looked older, and tired, but she still bore the understanding smile and look of benign patience that had won her this honored post against the competition of more vigorous, but less wise, druids. She slowly turned, giving all present the benefit of that smile, and as she did so the tension that had been building in the ring seemed to lighten, if it did not vanish altogether.
The rays of the full moon highlighted the wrinkles in the Great Druid’s aged face but could not overcome the lively sparkle of her eyes. Her body was rounded and stocky, but she carried herself with great dignity. She looked as if the many years of her life had not worn and weakened her, but instead had weathered and strengthened her. The polished oaken staff she held before her gleamed smoothly. Decades of use had worn its surface to a golden sheen.
All eyes in the council rested upon her, but Genna paused lengthily before she spoke. The wind stilled, and the great forest was strangely silent.
“My brothers and sisters,” the Great Druid began. Her voice was soft and musical, yet carried the weight of majesty. The power was well concealed, and her tone seemed wistful.
“The Mother has spoken to me,” Genna continued. The druids understood that this meant the Great Druid had had a prophetic dream. “Her next sleep may be her last. Her power wanes grievously, and the instruments of her destruction gather even before the snow has melted from the land.”
She turned a slow circle, looking at each of the druids gathered before her. For a moment she paused, wondering if she saw a flash of unnatural light near the rear of the group. Then, her eyes moved on.
Trahern of Oakvale sighed, shivering with tension, and hid his face more deeply within his hood.
Somberly the druids regarded Genna, waiting for her to continue.
“The children of the goddess have been awakened.”
This statement drew a few low mutters of astonishment from the gathering, for none but the oldest of the druids recalled a time when the goddess had been forced to call upon her children. The news was heartening, for the children of the goddess – the Leviathan, the Unicorn, and the Pack – were potent allies indeed.
“Yet even this step will not be sufficient to restore the Balance!” Genna’s voice took on a note of firmness. “The Firbolgs are abroad, and their activities threaten the Balance on a very direct level.
“The rest of my dream is not clear to me. I can only share these images: somehow, darkness has emerged from light, and now this darkness walks abroad in the land. It is this darkness, whatever its nature, that the Mother fears the most.
“Armies shall gather, and blood will be shed. Very possibly. Myrloch Vale itself will be violated. Should that happen, those of you who are entrusted with the vale’s protection are to hinder and slow the passage of the desecrating force, without risking yourselves or your groves. Do not use the animals, if you can possibly avoid it.”
Genna paused again, turning a full circle to look at each of her druids. Satisfied, she spoke again, “Remember that the armies, though potent, are not the most dangerous enemy of the Earthmother.
Learn all you can about the nature of any strange occurrences in the lands under your care. Whatever the nature of the “darkness from light,” we must learn more about it. I fear that it is the most dire threat of all to the Balance.
“Now,” Genna continued, her tone mellowing slightly, “what news from the far ends of Gwynneth?”
Quinn Moonwane,