| Some legends should be left buried in the past, others should never be forgotten …. The world of Man and Fae alike trembles in awe of the power of the Hand of Destiny. Careful what you wish for because when the Hand of Destiny selects you there’s no telling which century -- or world you’ll find yourself in. Come if you dare ... venture with Excalibur, Enforcer of the Hand of Destiny, join her and the Chosen in their search for the next High King. |
| Anakin set the necklace upon the table beside the cot and began to ready for bed. Stripping, he carefully folded his clothes and placed them away in a wicker basket set in a corner. He lay down on the cot, enjoying the cool air caressing his body. Rolling over to his side, he took a flint and struck it to the candlewick until it caught and burned, casting an eerie glow to his tent. Taking up the amulet, he examined it, amazed at how the odd gem pulsed with life as the greens continued to swirl amongst the now darker blues. Somewhere in the recess of his mind, Anakin remembered the old tales of Halloween being the night upon which the Veils of Time and Death could be transverse. Snorting at such nonsense, he dropped the amulet back onto the table and rolled under the covers. Blowing out the candle, Anakin got comfortable. As soon as his head hit the pillow, Anakin was asleep. There, he saw her. Creamy white skin, jet-black hair that cascaded in curled waves past a narrow waist, the young woman looked right at him, and he froze. Her eyes matched that of the amulet’s stone, just like Meliot’s. She was far more beautiful than any actress or model he had ever seen. Tears brimmed, unshed, making her huge eyes shimmer in the sad light emanating from the stub of a candle by her bare feet. The woman hugged herself, afraid and lonely. Her once fine gown of purple was dirty and torn, testimony of her abuse. She heaved a miserable sigh and sat down on a bed of straw and wrapped her arms around her knees. She tried to be brave, and yet her fear undid her best effort. Anakin struggled to reach out to her, to tell her everything would be all right. A veil of vapors was closing between them and the woman began to fade from his sight. He tried to yell, to stop the mists from claiming her. The woman’s head jerked up and she looked wildly about, her eyes widening when she finally could see him. Fearful, she jumped to her feet and pressed her back against the rock and mortared wall behind her. The mists thickened until the beautiful woman faded from his sight completely. Frustrated, Anakin tried to run to her, except his legs refused to move. Unable to see anything apart from the mist, he turned around and saw Meliot standing there beside a great black dragon whose huge eyes were the color of light and dark turquoise swirling together as smoke. Suddenly, Meliot was in front of him. She leaned upward and whispered in his ear. Stepping back from him, Meliot smiled at him and touched his cheek fondly before dissolving into the mist. The magnificent dragon spread its wings and worriedly swayed its great head back and forth. To his surprise, it strode forward and carefully placed part of its huge paw over his right shoulder. Claws the length of his upper torso rested harmlessly against his body. The dragon squeezed him ever so gently. When he did not react in fear, gazing up in wonder at seeing a real dragon and to be touched by one, it withdrew its paw and nodded to him, as if it had found something worthy about him. The dragon disappeared into the mist. Gasping, Anakin woke up, shaking and cold. Rubbing a trembling hand over his face, he jerked his hand back when he felt moisture. Cautious, Anakin tasted the wetness on his finger. No salt. It was not sweat! Scooting up, he struck the flint to the candle and when light illuminated the tent, he gaped at his arms and chest, covered by a light spray of water. Meliot’s words came back to haunt him. “Her name is Rayne. Save her!” |