Song of the Chapter - Stars by Skillet

It was the whisper that woke her up. Stirring suddenly, Elin awoke wondering what the sound had been. Her long brown hair spread out across her pillow, covering her blue eyes. Elin's hand went up to push the locks away from her view of the small bedroom she was staying in. The only visible item to catch her eye was the open window. The hour must have been late, or early depending on how you looked at it, because the sky was black with the exception of a few bright stars.

Her eyes continued to scan the small room. Wood hewn walls, crystal sconces adorning each side of the window, and plush carpet to keep toes warm in the high mountain elevation. The retreat was comfortable without being luxurious. Elin's family was considered elevated from the average Ferlish family, having been in the land longer than most. Her father had acquired parcels in every landscape, traveling often to stay in each retreat home. The mountain house had always been Elin's favorite. Something about it made her feel welcomed, and she found herself wishing it was their main residence.

Sitting up further in her iron post bed, Elin strained to hear the whisper which had pulled her from a deep slumber. It must have been a dream she decided. Not even the wind was stirring to create a similar sound. With that resolution, Elin once again lay down on the bed, attempting to go back to sleep. She knew it had been a mistake to make this journey. But for the last several moon cycles, she had felt compelled to pack her things and follow the mountain path to the family retreat house.

Finally, the desire to leave her home had been so strong, Elin didn't waste another day, saying goodbye to her disbelieving family and setting out for the retreat. Traveling alone had never been comfortable to her, but the compulsion was deep enough that she didn't give it a second thought. Elin crossed the terrain quickly, not stopping longer than needed to have a quick meal or rest for a few hours. Due to her perseverance, she was able to reach the house in just a matter of a few days. Finally, she could rest in a bed for a full night.

Except that whisper of a voice seemed to have other plans. Just as Elin was finally able to drop off to sleep, it had returned. This time she understood the word, which sent a chill right through her body.

Come

The strange voice spoke subtly, a wisp of air blowing through the room. At the same time it held an essence of authority, alerting her that the voice was in charge. "Come where?" Elin spoke aloud. There were no other family members at the retreat, so she didn't feel at all foolish speaking to the thin mountain air. The air, however, had no reply.

Elin got out of bed, wearing only her light night clothes, and walked over to the open window, "Where exactly am I supposed to go?" She called out more forcefully.

Come

Again, the voice was only a whisper, but along with the command came a direction for her to follow. A single star shone more brightly as the voice called to her, and in her heart she knew she was to go in that direction. Without analyzing the insanity of her decision further, she slipped on a coat and her shoes, then made her way out of the house. The stone facade of the home seemed to glow in the Starlight. Her feet took each of the front steps easily, without looking down to mind her path. The home was built with its location in mind, an attempt to keep it well hidden among the tall pines it was nestled within. The stone exterior was met with carved ferlish wood, intricate designs telling of the family's history adorning each door and window frame. The roof was covered with a living grass thatch, keeping both the warmth of the hearth within and the cold mountain temperature out.

Elin walked in the direction of the bright star listening carefully for any other instructions, without a second glance back at her favorite home. She had no idea what she was walking towards, or what danger may be awaiting her arrival. Elin didn't have to wait long to find out. Soon after leaving the retreat house to follow the star, a new whisper was heard.

Prepare

"What?" That made no sense to Elin, "prepare what?" This voice was beginning to irritate her. "Who are you?"

Prepare

The only reply was the same command. Elin kept walking, something within her urging her forward. She continued walking through the pines, her shoes crunching across needles strewn in all directions. The moon was not visible during this time of year, Elin's only light being that of the stars clearly seen in the dark night sky. The mountain peaks were behind her before she realized how far she had walked. As she closed in on a mountain crest, a vista of the land below came into view. As suddenly as the urge to move forward had begun, it left Elin right at that spot. She stood at the vista, preparing for whatever might happen next.

Discover

The next command came at the same moment Elin felt a strange sensation over her entire body, like a current of energy. She looked out over the view spread before her and caught her breath at what she discovered. Below where she stood was a sparkling lake, silver in color and surrounded by enormous pine-like trees, bigger than any she had seen in her life. The lake seemed to pop with energy, small sparkles of light and color jumping up from the bright pool. The entire area seemed alive somehow, including the air above and around the strange water.

"What is this?" She whispered, suddenly overcome by the energy she felt coursing through her blood. "Where did this come from?"

Understand

The voice commanded. And as if an entire book of knowledge was poured over her, Elin knew what the pool of light was, she knew what she was, and she knew why she had been drawn to this place. She stumbled back with the sudden power that she felt, as well as fear for the task that had been given to her.

"I can't...I can't do this! It's too much..." she cried out, not wanting to carry the weight of the duty she knew she must.

Seer

Her role. A Seer of Starlight, the essence contained within the liquid pool before her. A gift of vision, the ability to locate the precious energy which would give their land great beauty, lush vegetation, and abundant life. But Elin was also warned of potential danger, as other Seers would be called to keep the land prosperous. One Seer would fall, tempted to keep the starlights' power for themselves. The land would begin to die, the people turn against each other. The fallen Seer would rule, keeping the people in despair. Their world would eventually turn to chaos, unless the healer was found.

"How do I find this healer? How will I know?"

Elin fell back from the shock of the answer given to her. She would not find the healer. She would be gone from The Ferlands by the time a healer arose. Elin would be the first Seer, the keeper of the prophesy, the teller of truth. Her task was to show others what she had found and teach them to cherish their land, protect it at all costs. Elin's duty to her home and her love of the land compelled her to listen and believe.

She stumbled her way back to the retreat, now exhausted from the heavy knowledge she carried with her. Somehow she made it back to her small room, collapsing on the soft bed and falling into a deep sleep. Her dreams were filled with small bursts of colored light, peaceful and serene.

Awaking the next morning to a bright sun, she felt a strength she wasn't aware she possessed. Elin knew the task wouldn't be easy, finding others who had the gift of Seeing, and warning them of the one to come, the one who would threaten the very existence of The Ferlands. Her head told her it would be an impossible job to fulfill, but her heart knew she had found her calling.

A new determination washed over her as Elin prepared to return to the Starlight pool. The knowledge given to her by the voice was clear. She would absorb the Starlight's energy within her own body made a vessel, carrying it with her to parts of the land desperate for the energy to thrive. Her vision would allow her to find pools of Starlight unseen by others, although none would be as impressive as her retreat house pool. The house would now be her refuge, and a refuge for other Seers she discovered.

She was shocked with the view that awaited her as she once again stepped out of her home. Each place her foot had touched on her way back from the Starlight pool was teaming with fresh growth. Lush grasses, colorful wild ferlish flowers, small mountain creatures nibbling on the newly found food. What she had once thought a beautiful landscape had suddenly seemed dull in comparison to what had arisen before her now. This would be what called others to her cause. This was what she needed to show her people. It's what her homeland had desperately needed.

〰🖤〰

The Finding is a little peek into the history of the tale, and I consider it an interlude. Thank you so much for reading!

It would mean so much if you left a comment and a vote! I would love to hear your thoughts!!

And as always, I leave you with music, my life blood. Stars by Skillet

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