To Walk Through a Dream Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven With Wavering Footsteps Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Stone Song Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three A Tale of Winter Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Destiny Inescapable Prologue Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Epilogue The Cycle's Continuing Beginnings Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Two Spirits Akin

Destiny Inescapable Chapter Two Sean looked out to the meadow where Krianna sat alone. She was not far from the gypsy camp, but everyone still felt compelled to keep an eye on her to be sure she didn't wander away. She had not spoken since her children had died, and there was little doubt in anyone's mind that it had cut her last tie to their reality. They had been surprised when she had survived the plague that had killed nearly everyone else who had caught it, even some of the stronger, healthier men. Now the tribe continued to care for her, but they no longer knew how to feel about her. There was no longer any sense that she belonged within the tribe, she was like an outcast still living amongst them. They were kind to her, but she seemed to be completely oblivious to them. The trees spoke slowly, weaving a tapestry between themselves. One tree might grow old and die, falling away from the weaving, but just as soon a new one would take up the thread, continuing the infinite pattern. The birds flitted about above their weaving, oblivious to it, they lived in a completely different place, caught somewhere between the pulsing, deep humming that she had once known as the earth, and the chorus of light and vibration that was created by all the celestial bodies singing together in harmony. It was out of this space of solid air that a dark shape came towards her, but she was not afraid. The silent winged shadow that moved like fire was something she had been waiting for a long time. It joined her in her place of observation and became no longer just another puzzle-piece to the essence of the world, but a companion, someone who shared this space with her outside of the borders of existence. She had not had a companion for a very long time, and never since she had fallen into this point of observation. She was no longer a part of the world, she had sat outside of it, waiting. Waiting for him. * * * The pulsation of the stars boomed at her tonight with an intensity that would have been overwhelming, were it not for the presence of her winged shadow friend. She had come to know him as protector and guide, walking with her on a pathway to destiny. He never used words to communicate with her, he would simply send the essence of what he wished to say into her mind, and knew what she wished to say in return. He was always very calm, the universe moved through him in ripples, but did not disturb the quiet patience of his being. He had once told her that she sensed the universe better than he could, but she gave him the greatest gift that there was by sharing it with him through her eyes. But she knew she could not have withstood the power that she saw all around her without him by her side. She had been on the verge of drowning in it when he had come to her. They belonged together. Tonight she had realized what the destiny was that they moved towards together. She turned to him and let her thoughts flow into his. The child. It will see these things as I do, won't it. But I do not wish to curse any child with the burden of this. It is to much for a human body to bear. It has broken me. He sent an idea into her mind that perhaps the child should be formed of something that could withstand such power. She looked up into the night sky awhile, watching it filtered through the rich colours of the air. Then a thought occurred to her and she grabbed for a handful of wind to show him. Then I would that the child be made of this. It does not break, because it moves around all things. He thought back, So be it. Then he spoke the first words she had ever heard him say aloud. "Her body shall be wind." * * * Krianna gasped as he pulled her back from the edge of the void. She had not meant to follow the thread of nothingness, but something from within her had pulled her to it. Powerless to resist she had felt herself falling and knew that once within it she would not have the strength to fight her way out. After she had caught her breath and her terror had subsided, she felt anger well up inside her until it spilled out. I hate it!!! I can see such beautiful things, but I can't stop from seeing the other things either. And I can't see my tribe anymore!!!! I can't see anything the way I used to! Somewhere beyond her mind, in the body she could barely even feel anymore, she knew for a moment tears were falling. She could hear the cries of her sorrow chiming out harshly and echoing off her surroundings. I will not have a child that cannot control this. The child must have some weapon to protect herself with! He stroked her until her sobs subsided and she felt his calm filling up the sore places inside her. She must be strong like you. Give her that which allows you to fight off the darkness. He whispered gently into her mind, then proclaimed a gift for the unborn child. So be it. "Her heart shall be of fire." * * * He found her near the trees, her senses turned away from the swirling mass of colours and joy that was the gypsy camp, but her mind could not turn away. There was some sort of celebration tonight, and she had tried being there, really tried, but she was one world passing through another. They were completely separate from each other, even though they occupied the same space. I can't be with them. I can't tell them how it is for me, I can never show them what I see. It used to be that sometimes when I sang, they could almost feel what I did. He pondered it and asked her if they should be able to see what she did. She thought back I think sometimes they should. I could give them something so beautiful. He touched her cheek gently, and for a moment she felt it, real, a sensation of physicality. Then there was his voice in her ear. "Her songs will touch the mind." * * * She was caught in the mass of it for a moment, not knowing where she was, or even who she was. It was his presence that drew her back to herself. Perhaps if I were stronger I would not lose myself like that. You must promise me that she shall be stronger. Her presence of self must be strong enough that the rest of the world cannot drown her out. She must vibrate as strongly as the stars, or the earth, so that she does not lose herself amongst them. Considering this he made another proclamation, "Her soul shall be a lyre." * * * The notes of discord struck her like knives. Two souls were warring with each other, yet not in hatred, but in love. He came beside her and described the scene of one who wished to help another, but the other was too proud and could not bring himself to accept it. Remembering what she had known of people, she mused back to him Perhaps if the one trying to help had gone about it another way. His concern is too forceful, it pushes on his friend and tries to fight it's way in. I have seen it done you know, where one speaks so gently and humbly to another that they do not even realize they are being helped. He chuckled faintly at this, and she was both surprised and pleased at the sound. It croaked faintly, yet it was still pleasant to hear. He told her he found humans a bit odd, but the child should have her way with them. So thinking he said, "a voice like gentle rain." That is what she will have. * * * The grayness of sorrow wound upon itself, a twisted shape that mimicked the dancing flames it sat next to. Krianna turned to see him beside her, watching it with her. I can see a little better again. See the normal things I mean. But I wish I could help her. If I could even just be there, and have her feel better for it. He reflected in his own silent thoughts a moment, then proclaimed another gift for the child. "Her very eyes shall lift one's pain." * * * She sensed the shapes of kindness around her, and realized she was waking up. There was an absence of time, and she thought to herself that she must have been unconscious. She was aware of some sound faintly growing, and as it grew louder she felt that it was within her. It thrummed a deep tone, slowly pulsating in midnight blue. She called out within the energies of the world and he came to her, calming, reassuring. Pure physical pain was pulling her into a world that had long grown unfamiliar and she clung to him. She did not belong there any longer, her place was here, within the colours and sounds of truth and essence. He held her gently, caressing her mind. You will be with me soon, more than you ever have been before. But now you must fulfill destiny. She cried out to him, But what is her destiny? "She shall walk through dreams." Chapter Three