Stormcaller (full version)

Pt 11

Luna watched as the storm brewed in the distance. A tear slowly fell down her cheek and into the water of the sea. The grey wolf beside her nudged her hand, whimpering. She gave him a week smile, and patted his head. Her wolf was not one of the twilight wolves of Sarata, the twilight island, so he could not speak. Another tear fell into the water. She let out a sigh of longing as she left the island of Kira. 2

"Come Saro," she called to the wolf. He hesitated, then jumped onto the boat. Luna could tell that this island had been his favorite. It was also the last of the seven islands; there were no more after this one. Luna supposed she could live at sea. After all, there were many who did, but she knew that she couldn't. She was one of those people who longed for human companionship. She was also one of those people whom trouble followed with her every step. She was a stormcaller. It was her fate to wander alone. She rubbed the wolf's neck. "Papa always said that we could come home when we wished," she said absently. "We have been to all the islands, and still have not been able to find a place of belonging. I will go back to the island of Atule, but I will not go home."3

The boat began to float out to sea, the violent storm behind them 4

Pt. 25

Luna pat Saro's head as they sailed out to sea, the storm following not far behind them. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and noticed a feather floating in the water. She did not look directly at it, yet she knew exactly what it looked like. She had seen hundreds of them in the six years that she had been running. It was a color of silver, not unlike the stars the clouds that followed her always covered; it was a feather the color of those that the people of the island of Atule frowned upon. It was her own.6

Luna felt her wings twitch with the need to soar into the sky, but she knew that she would not. No one would ever see her wings; to her, they were a curse.7

Few people traveled to her home island, and few of the islands inhabitants left. The island of Atule was home to the winged people; Luna's people. Few people from the city in the sky left, mainly because of what had happened thousands of years ago, when the islands first came to existence.8

No one but the midnight wolves of Sarata knew where Alora Wolfheart had come from. She had nearly gone mad when she saw the winged people, speaking something of angels, and in a way, banished the people to their city in the sky.9

It doesn't matter, Luna thought to herself, hearing the thunder in the distance. I am cursed. I am the outcast. Luna folded her silver wings. If only they were not silver...10

Luna's people were all born with silver wings. But as they grew older, around age five or so, they would shed their silver feathers, and grow night-black ones in their place. Luna did not have black wings. She had always had silver. Luna remembered that they had always been an issue...11

"She is nearly eight years old , and yet she still bears the mark of the innocent!" her mother screamed, her black feathers ruffling.12

"She is innocent!" her father yelled back. Her father's wings themselves were different than those of others. They were black, yet they still maintained traces of silver.13

"This is my point!" her mother screamed. "There are children half her age who have already shed their silver wings!"14

"I will not force her to kill!" her father yelled. "I will not force her to relinquish her choice!"15

Her mother bared the sharp teeth. "She is a Tarka! She is from one of the grandest families around! If you would rather have her lose her innocence in another way, I am sure I can find one willing!" 16

Luna shrank back at her mother's words. She knew that shedding blood was not the only way to lose one's innocence. "But if you think that I will have a daughter that has not even completed a right of passage that all of us have faced, then you..."17

Thunder boomed outside. Luna had begun to cry, and the winds had blown open the windows, and were swirling around the room. Luna's mother screamed curses into them, as Luna's father ran over to comfort the child.18

"Hush," he said into her ear. He then began to sing her a lullaby:19

"Darkness falling everywhere20

The sun is gone, the moon is here21

Flee into the dark of night22

Find a place that sheds no light23

Seek the one that calls your name24

Find a place where you'll be safe25

Flee into the light of dawn26

Ward them off with a simple song..."27

Luna's tears subsided, and the winds inside the room died down, though the storm outside still raged.28

"It's all right," her father said "it is your choice."29

Her mother stared coldly down at them. "If she does not lose her innocence within the next three days, then I have no daughter." And stormed out of the room. That was the last time Luna ever saw her mother.30

Luna hummed the lullaby softly to herself, and thought, not for the first time, what would have happened if she had decided to kill another, and lose her innocence. 31

As she sat there, thinking to herself, Saro sat facing south, the direction where the storm was coming from. Luna looked up at him. No matter where they went, he always faced the direction of the storm. Not for the first time, Luna wondered if he was a true wolf.32

Pt. 333

Luna's wings flattened against her back as the winds tore around her. The storm had hit sooner than she thought. She felt the heart of the storm as it beat wildly to the pulse of the winds. She tried vainly to diverse it, but she knew it was no use. All her life, storms had followed her, but she had never been able to control them. They had deprived her of so much...34

Luna couldn't remember how old she was when she had started to come down from the City in the Sky and visit the towns father down the mountains. She was still stared at, but it was not with fear and disgust at her silver wings, but in curiosity and wonder. So much had happened in the city below. She had learned to fight, learn to create, fallen in love...35

He had taught her how to fight as she recalled. She had been walking one day when she was cornered by other kids who had come down from the City. Ones with black wings. He had saved her. 36

"Are you all right?" he asked.37

"Fine," Luna said absentmindedly, getting up as if nothing had happened.38

"Are you sure?" he asked. "Those guys looked like they were going to kill you."39

"They would have."40

"Why?"41

Luna looked at him. He wasn't from around here. She could see that immediately, and could tell not only that he wasn't from around here, but had been here for less than a day.42

"I'm Derron," he said, then repeated, "Why would they have killed you?"43

Luna stretched her wings, then folded them behind her back. Derron looked confused.44

"What's wrong with your wings?" he asked.45

"They're silver, not black."46

"So? What's wrong with that?"47

Luna looked at him strangely. "Only innocents have silver wings." She turned to leave.48

"You're not going out alone, are you?"49

Luna turned back. "Why?"50

"Because, they'll be back," Derron said "they won't give up."51

"They fail to grasp the concept that just because my wings are silver doesn't mean that I can't fly just as fast, if not faster then them."52

"And if they catch you?" Derron asked. "What then?"53

Luna couldn't answer. She just turned to leave. "At least let me teach you to fight." Luna turned around. This boy was strange. Luna was not used to others being concerned about her, or offering to help without something in return. Than again, she did need to learn to defend herself. And if he wanted anything in return, she would remind him that he hadn't named a price. She nodded.54

She had learned much in the year that he taught her. She had originally intended to leave after he taught her the basics, but found that she couldn't. They had become friends, she knew, but she felt something else. Something she had never felt. It happened on one day that she realized what it was.55

They had been practicing archery the day that it happened. Luna found that it was archery that she was the best at.56

Luna laughed with a sense of self achievement as the flaming arrow hit the center of the bull's eye. Derron clapped. "Time for a break," he said.57

"But I'm finally getting good," Luna complained.58

"And you'll use up all my arrows at this rate," Derron replied. He pointed to a couple of barrels of hey next to the barn where they were practicing. "Come on," he said.59

When they sat down he asked, "You never told me why your silver wings were a bad thing."60

Every day he asked this question, and Luna gave him the same answer she gave him every day, "They are the sign of an innocent."61

Derron shook his head. "But why is that a bad thing?"62

Luna tried to find words to explain. "Our people prize themselves on the blood that they have shed, and how early the first time that they killed another..."63

"The evil they have committed, then."64

Luna shook her head. They had argued over this many times as well. "There is no good, or evil."65

"I still don't know why your wings make you an outcast, though," he said. "They are beautiful..."66

Luna stiffened when his lips touched hers, but soon melted into his sweet embrace. She had never realized how much she had liked him, possibly love him...67

They pulled away abruptly as a bolt of lightning struck a sapling not six feet away. "What the hell..." Derron said, gazing up at the cloudless sky. Luna felt the lightning tickle at her fingers...68

Luna remembered how she had run. She would always have to run. She could never have a home. She could never love...69

She heard Saro whine below. The wolf wanted to come above onto the deck. To be with her. Luna knew that the wolf's life was not likely to be long as long as he insisted on following her, but she could at least make it a little longer by not letting him come on deck, where he would be tossed into the sea.70

Pt. 471

Saro howled in joy as they approached the island. Luna herself felt a very small twinge of joy. While the memories she held of this place were not the fondest, it was her home. 72

Luna stood up and stretched her wings, then took off into the air. She could hardly see the mountains on the northern side of the island. Good, she thought, and swooped back down onto the deck.73

Saro looked back at her as she landed. Luna smiled as Saro's tail wagged at the prospect of a new island to explore. He had seen all of the other islands, but not this one. 74

As the boat approached the shore, Luna threw a cloak over her shoulders to hide her wings. The other islands may not know what silver wings meant, but those here would. 75

The wolf looked up at her lovingly, and Luna smiled and patted his head. "Only for a while, Saro," she said. "You know what happens otherwise.76

As the boat pulled into the dock, a small boy came up to them. "Tie yer boat up for a copper," he said. Luna handed a copper coin, and he set to tying the boat up. He stopped when he saw Saro. "That's one of the Twilight wolves of Sarata!" he exclaimed in wonder.77

Luna smiled. "He's of Sarata, all right, but not one of the twilight wolves. Can't talk."78

"Then why does he follow you?" the boy asked.79

Luna shrugged. "Caught him stealing food from me one night, and he never left." She pet Saro's side. "He's free to go whenever he wants. He just doesn't want."80

Luna sat at the bar of the inn. "Must be pretty hot to be wearing that cloak all the time," the bartender said. Luna shrugged. "What you wearin' it for?"81

Luna looked him in the eye. "I have my reasons," she said, Saro growling at her side to get the point across. The bartender was distracted by a boy entering the inn, the same boy who had tied up Luna's boat. 82

"Where ya been boy?" he called out. "We got payin' customers!" The boy mumbled something. "Speak up when I'm talkin' to you," the bartender said, whacking the boy on the head. Luna stood up, Saro following suit.83

"Leave him alone," Luna said lowly. The bar went silent.84

"And if I don't?" the bartender said. Luna pulled out her bow, nocked an arrow, and pointed it to his throat, all in one swift motion. The bartender was unintimidated. "He's my servant, I will treat him how I wish. Either accept that, or get out of my shop."85

"Maybe you didn't hear me," Luna said. "Leave the boy alone."86

"Maybe you didn't hear me," the bartender said. "This is my property, and I will treat my servants," he slapped her hard across the face, knocking her to the ground. "and customers the way I want."87

Everyone in the bar was shocked. Luna's cloak had come off when she fell to the ground, revealing her silver wings.88

Pt. 589

The reaction was not the one Luna had expected. She had expected fear, disdain, anger, but what she saw in the faces of these people was wonder. Though, by the looks of them, many of these people had lived on the island, they had never seen one of the winged people.90

"Shoulda' known," the bartender said, then mumbled under his breath, "Damned harpy."91

Luna felt anger soar through her. One of the greatest insults one of her people could receive was to be called a harpy, one of the foulest creatures on the Planes of Death. She jumped to her feet, ready to attack him, to find that a man that had been sitting at the end of the counter had beaten her to it.92

The bartender was on the ground. "Apologize," the man said to the bartender. The bartender spat at his feet. He then found a sword at his throat. He mumbled something. "What was that?" the man said. "I don't think she heard you.93

"Sorry, miss," the bartender said, looking sourly up at the man that held a sword to his throat.94

The man sheathed his sword. "Now I think this lovely lady has earned a free stay, don't you?" The bartender glared at him. He was about to open his mouth when the man began to lead the servant boy over to Luna, but stopped when he met the man's icy stare. "Come on, miss," the man said. "I will escort you back to your room."95

Luna nodded. "Come, Saro," she said. The wolf stood, bristling and snarling at the bartender who had dared to hurt his mistress, held back only by how Luna had taught him to act . "Come, Saro," Luna repeated, the wolf hesitated for a moment, then followed them up the stairs.96

When they were out of earshot of the bar, the man said. "Can't stay out of trouble, can you Luna?"97

Luna looked at him in surprise, and realized where she had seen him before. "Derron?" she whispered.98

Pt. 699

The scaly creature stared out over the ocean as he watched the storm approach. She had returned.100

"This had better be important, cousin" a voice behind him said. He turned to see a woman with midnight black wings standing there with her arms folded.101

"Oh it is," the scaly thing said. Unlike his cousin, he looked more like a scaly bat than a human. He pointed one of his wings (as he had no arms) out to the horizon. The woman gazed to where he pointed. 102

"So," she said. "It has begun."103

"I must admit, I have my doubts, cousin," the thing said. "that this girl will bring the harpies glory. As I recall, she wouldn't even spill blood for the sake of hers."104

"She will join us," the woman said. "One way or another."105

The harpy's eyes glittered. "Of course," he said mischievously. "After all, is it not blood that holds us the strongest?"106

"You have served me well," the woman said. "And I promised to reward you for your services." The woman drove a blade into the heart of the foul creature. "Don't take it personally," she said as she watched the pathetic creature die. "but you know too much."107

As the harpy died, his body became a pile of ash, that was swept away by the oncoming storm. "So," the woman repeated. "It has begun."108

Pt. 7109

Luna fingered the small silver flute as she sat on the balcony while Deron watched the boy. It had been years ago, yet the flute had not aged a day.110

Luna walked through the city, pulling her cloak tightly around her shoulders, and so pulling her silver wings closer to her body. She couldn't let anyone see them. No one could no who she was. 111

No one payed Luna any mind as she walked into the harbor master's office. "Excuse me," she said softly to the harbormaster. "I need to catch a boat that can take me over to the next island, as soon as possible."112

The harbormaster turned to her. Luna flinched under his judging glare. "The next ship leaves in an hour for Lera, but it costs to ride aboard. You got money?" Luna nodded, and placed a gold coin into his outstretched hand. He told her to wait outside the ship.113

Luna sat on the dock as she watched people passed. None of them knew she was running away. None of them knew that her father would wake up to find a note on her bed saying that she would be leaving to find someplace where her wings were nothing to fear. None of them knew...114

"Excuse me," Luna heard behind her. "you dropped this." 115

Luna looked to see an old woman standing there, holding out a silver flute for her to take. "I'm sorry," she said. "but that's not mine."116

"But it is," the old woman said. "Even if it wasn't before, it should be." The old woman placed it in Luna's hand. "Farewell, Stormaller." 117

Luna put the small flute to her lips, and blew a soft tone. A light breeze ruffled her hair. She blew a harder, higher note, and a small gust blew around her. She remembered trying to learn to play aboard the ship, and tried to remember some of the songs she had learned. Her hands fumbled as they tried to play the notes that were forgotten by years of neglect, until they finally remembered the soft tune that came out of the instrument.118

Miles away, a harsh woman with wings the color of a starless sky heard the soft tune. "Yes," she muttered under her breath. "Play your little magic silver stick. Play the songs that have been waiting for you. You will not play such soft tunes for long. The battle is coming, and it waits for you to play the March of Destruction." 119

Pt. 8120

Luna silently gathered her things. She walked over to the door, and looked back at the sleeping child. He really was a sweet little boy. Luna suddenly realized that she didn't know his name. She thought for a moment of waking him up and asking him before she left, but dismissed the idea. Leaving was hard enough. She slipped silently out the door, to come face to face with Derron.121

He looked at her. He knew she was leaving, and she knew that he knew. "Where to this time, Luna?" he asked. Luna didn't answer. "You've been everywhere, Luna there's no where left to go."122

It was true, and Luna knew it. She didn't like that truth. Her hand automatically went down to where Saro's comforting scruff would have been, but she remembered that he had been sleeping in the stables outside. She glanced around to see the familiar yellow eyes, but saw nothing. She tried to get past Derron, but he blocked her way. "Where next?" Derron repeated. Luna looked away. She didn't want to face the truth that there was no where for her. She had to belong somewhere, everyone did... didn't they?123

Derron wiped away the tear that fell down Luna's cheek, then tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. She looked at him. How could he stand by her? How could he not see that she was an outsider who didn't belong? How...124

Derron leaned down and kissed her lightly. "Go back to bed, Luna," he said. "You may not think you are special, but there are some who do."125

Saro's yellow eyes looked up towards his mistress' room as he felt her heart beat faster. He rested his head back on his paws. The wolf sighed with Luna. He sometimes wished that he was not so strongly connected with his mistress. He could not speak to her, but he still felt her emotions as strongly as if she was one of his pack. She didn't know what he truly was, and he couldn't tell her, but that didn't mean that he wouldn't watch over her as if she were own of his own kind.126

Pt. 9127

The woman watched the man inside his house as he went about his nightly routine. She spread her midnight wings as she glided down to his house on the side of the cliff. The woman didn't bother knocking, and opened the door. The man turned, and his eyes flared as he saw her standing in the doorway. The woman smiled. "Hello, husband."128

"Get out, Thorn." the man said darkly.129

The woman clucked her tongue. "Now is that anyway to treat a wife that has news of your daughter."130

The man snorted. "I notice that you claim to be my wife, yet she is my daughter."131

Thorn was calm. "Would you prefer I say that she was our daughter."132

"No. As I recall, you have no daughter."133

"Then what's the problem?" Thorn asked innocently.134

"The problem is," the man said, his voice rising. "That you left us, disclaimed your daughter, then show up here eight years later, claiming that she has returned."135

"Ah, but she has," Thorn said mischievously. "Surly you have noticed the storm gathering on the horizon? And surly you have heard the tune that plays on the wind? You must hear it more clearly than I.. I made a mistake, Druin. I want my daughter back, and she won't come to me without you."136

"But at what cost to her?" the man said coldly.137

Thorn's eyes glinted. "The price is merely a storm."138

Pt 10139

Luna sat out on the balcony, gazing at the sky. They had spent yesterday indoors; the storm had been to violent to go outside. It didn't bother Luna, but Derron, Saro and the boy wouldn't be able to stand the wind and rain.140

"What is your name?" Luna asked the boy earlier that day.141

The child thought for a moment. "I don't know." 142

Luna cocked her head. "How can you not have a name?" Luna asked.143

The boy shrugged. "No one ever called me anything since my mother died, and I don't remember what she called me."144

A brief pain showed in Luna's eyes, but it passed almost as quickly as it had come. "What would you like to be called?" she asked.145

The boy sat there, thinking. Luna didn't think he had ever been asked what it was \he\ wanted. "Talon, I guess," he said softly, as if it might be the wrong answer.146

"Talon it is then," Luna said. Derron walked into the room, dripping wet, holding Saro's scruff. The wolf shook off the water hanging to his fur, pulled harshly away from Derron, and joyfully ran up to his mistress. Derron took off his cloak.147

"You've no idea what it took to get him to come with me."148

Luna took Saro's muzzle in her hands. "He doesn't mind the rain at all, do you big guy?" Saro licked her hand. Derron snorted.149

"Don't think it was the rain he objected to."150

Luna blew softly on her flute as the rain slowed. The song drew Derron from watching Talon sleep. "You're getting better," he said. He put his arms around her. Luna sighed as she brought the flute down.151

"It's just something to do," she said.152

Derron looked at her. "Why are you running, Luna?" he asked. "Why aren't you here, where you belong?"153

Luna felt tears begin to form. "I can't." She tried to turn away, but Derron held her there.154

"Why?" he asked. Luna bit her lip, and folded her wings back. "Don't say your wings," Derron said softly. "That's not the only thing keeping you away anymore."155

Luna's tears had begun to fall, and she buried her head in his chest. He needed to know. She needed him to know.156

Druin watched the two from the treetops. So, he thought. Thorn was telling the truth; but if it's the whole truth is yet to be seen.157

He watched his daughter, and noted, with pride he could not explain, that her wings were still silver Why am I proud? he thought. Silver wings are not something to be proud of. They are a disgrace. Druin knew this was a lie, but that wasn't the way he had been brought up to see it. For now, he would be happy simply watching over his daughter for the first time in years. Int the distance, thunder roared as the storm reached its peak. 158

Pt 11159

Are you sure you want to do this?" Derron asked Luna, as she stood by the door, ready to go out into the raging storm.160

Luna took in a breath. "No," she said. "but I have to try."161

"Why?" Derron asked. "No one said that it was your responsibility."162

"No one has to." Luna reached for the door, when Derron stopped her. 163

"You would be willing to risk your life out there?" he asked. "You would be willing to try and halt a storm with a flute you are just remembering how to play? It's impossible."164

Luna looked at him. "I brought this storm here, Derron. I have to stop it."165

Derron knew there was nothing he could do to stop her. "Be careful," he whispered.166

Talon hugged her. "You'll come back, won't you?" he asked.167

Luna looked at Derron. She couldn't bear to tell him what she really thought. "I'll try." Saro nudged her hand. He didn't want her to leave either.168

Luna stood in the center of town, her wings flattened against her back, her silver flute in her hand. "Are you crazy?!" she heard someone shout from inside one of the houses. It didn't matter. This was between her and the storm. She blew an unsure note on the flute. The wind still howled. She blew a harder, higher note, and the winds changed, but didn't stop. She looked back at the inn where Derron Talon and Saro were. She didn't know what to do. Maybe Derron was right. Maybe she couldn't' control the storm...169

The eye, she heard someone say in her head. Go to the eye of the storm...170

Luna didn't know who had intruded her mind to tell her this, but at the moment, she didn't care. She spread her wings, and flew to the center of the storm. Luna reached the center, she felt a sense of calm inside of her, like she knew everything would be okay. She once again put the flute to her lips, and began to blow, the soft notes that she played wove themselves into a song. Luna didn't hear the sound of the music, or the rain or thunder. All she heard was the pulse of the storm, and her heartbeat becoming one.171

Luna flew down from the now clear sky, and landed in the city square. She tried vainly to brush off the water droplets from her silver feathers. Saro, Talon, and Derron ran out of the inn. Talon hugged her tightly, Saro jumped up and licked her face, and Derron just stood, waiting for her, a smile on his face.172

Luna felt a tap on her shoulder, and she turned around. Standing there was the man who yelled that she was crazy. "I'd like to start by thanking you for saving our town," he said. Luna was about to speak when he cut her off. "but we were all thinking that maybe it would be better if you returned to your own city." He looked at her wings.173

Derron stepped forward. "This woman saves your town from being destroyed by the most violent storm seen in years, risking her own life, and you tel her she must leave?"174

"Aye, I don't like it either. But several of the people pointed out that this is the first hurricane this violent since the silver girl left," Luna tried harder to hide her wings, remembering what people had called her. "and the storm didn't start until this silver-winged girl showed up. What's to say she didn't cause it?"175

Derron opened his mouth to speak, but Luna stopped him. "He's right Derron," she said. "I don't belong here." With tears in her eyes, she said, "Come Saro." The wolf trotted behind her. "Oh," she said. "and take care of Talon." Derron grabbed her arm.176

"I won't lose you, Luna," he said. "Not again."177

Luna opened her mouth to speak, when Talon whispered, "Please don't leave us Luna."178

Luna looked at the two, and sighed. She couldn't leave. She knew that. "No one said I had to leave the island," she said. 179

Pt 12180

Thorn smiled from her perch. "Ahh, how strong you are, my daughter," she said to herself. "So powerful... you will be of great use to us when the time comes." Yet, in the back of her mind, Thorn had a feeling that Luna couldn't be controlled that easily, and had the nagging feeling that the plan was going to fail.181

Thorn stood over the pot, stirring it occasionally, and throwing spices in at seemingly random moments. She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. 182

"This had better work, witch," the harpy behind her said. "We can't afford to lose any more time."183

"Don't rush me," Thorn snapped. "This is harder than you would know."184

"The solstice is almost here!" the harpy said. "We need a storm to summon the endless night, and for that we need..."185

"I said don't rush me!" Thorn yelled, her feathers ruffling.186

The harpy scowled. "How hard could it be to scry for danger?"187

"It is harder in water than any other way."188

"Than why not use a crystal?" the harpy asked. "Or a map? There are many ways to locate danger."189

"Aye," Thorn said. "but we're not just trying to locate it. We are trying to eliminate it entirely, and for that, we need to know what we're facing." Thorn stared into the pot of water. She inhaled the scent of the herbs used to enhance her power. "Come," she said under her breath. "Show me the ones who stand in my way. Show me the ones who can stop the gathering storm." She gazed in the swirling waters. "So," she whispered. "Our danger lies within her party. What is your story?"190

Saro woke from his sleep. He didn't stir, didn't move, didn't show any sign that he had wakened. They were being watched. He could feel it. He stretched out his consciousness to Derron. Wake.191

Derron woke with a start. What had happened? He looked around. Everything seemed to be at peace. All the others were asleep. He looked towards the wolf. He felt a strange sensation for a moment, but it passed as soon as it had come. His gaze fell to Luna, who was sleeping soundly, then to Talon, who was moving restlessly in his sleep.192

Talon fled from the creatures in his dreams. The terrible bat-like creatures followed him. He kept running until he got to the room where he was sleeping. He saw himself lying there, dreaming fitfully, Luna slept soundly, Saro pretended to sleep, and Derron watched over them all. He looked at the ceiling above them, where a woman with black wings watched them. "So," she said to them. "What is your story?"193

Pt 13194

Druin entered the hall, and walked up to the huge set of double doors at the end. Two guards stood in his way. "I must speak with the high elder," Druin said. "It is a matter of great importance."195

"No one is to see the High Elder without a summons or an appointment," one of the guards said.196

Druin opened his mouth to argue, when he heard a silky voice say behind him, "Now that is no way to speak to a guest." He turned.197

"Eldress Ika," he said. "It is an honor."198

"Come," she said. "You may speak with the High Elder if you wish."199

"Eldress, it is his orders that..." one of the guards began.200

"It is my order that this man be aloud to see the High Elder," the Eldress said tightly. "And I suggest you carry it out at once."201

The guards hesitated a moment, then stepped aside so that Druin may pass. Druin turned to the Eldress. "Thank you, lady."202

The Eldress waved her hand. "Think nothing of it."203

Druin took a breath and stepped into the High Elder's chamber. "What is the meaning of this intrusion?!" the High Elder said as he halted his conversation with the other Elder standing next to him. 204

"Elder," Druin said, kneeling. "I have grave news that concerns our city that I desire to speak to you about." He looked at the other Elder.205

"Leave us," the High Elder said. The other Elder nodded, and left the room. Once he had left, the High Elder said, "Now what matter is so important that you disrupt my meeting?"206

"Surly you have noticed the recent storms along the coast?"207

"Aye."208

"And surly you have noticed the recent increase in the harpy's activity? And the absence of my..." Druin paused, not wishing to say the word. "wife."209

"If you have some connection to make, make it quickly. I am very busy."210

"Yes, sir. You must of course remember Thorn and my daughter, and how she disappeared several years ago?"211

"Yes. The best contribution the silver-winged brat could make to our society."212

Druin held his tongue as he felt angry words rise up in him. "When my daughter was young, things would happen when she was upset. Winds would blow, rains would fall, and at certain points, it would seem as if all hell had broken loose." The Elder nodded his head to show he was listening. Druin struggled with his next words. "It is my belief that my daughter is the Stormcaller, and that Thorn has allied herself with the harpies to control my daughter."213

The Elder nodded. "Your daughter has returned, and that is why there have been so many storms of late?" Druin nodded. The Elder's hand fell to his side, and his fingers waved ever so slightly. "You were right to tell me, Druin. This information will be helpful to us."214

Druin screamed as he felt a bolt of fire strike his back. The Elder walked over to him. "Unfortunately, we can't let you tell anyone else that the Stormcaller has returned." The High Elder motioned to the guards. "Take him to the jail," he said. "If anyone asks, he is mad." 215

The elder who had hit Druin with the fire bolt came over. "I don't think that was necessary," he said.216

"But it was," the High Elder said. "We can't risk anyone else knowing who the Stormcaller is." The High Elder paced back and forth. "So, Thorn has allied herself with the Harpies. Devious little witch."217

The other elder snickered. "Your just upset you didn't think of it first.”218

"Maybe," the High Elder said. "but none the less. We must find this silver-winged brat before Thorn does, or the Stormcaller's powers will never be ours."219

Pt 14220

The wolf sat, waiting in the forest. The group had decided against staying in towns for very long, so that they wouldn't risk the storms causing any more damage. The wolf looked again at the harvest moon that hung full in the sky, then turned to looked back along the banks of the spring. It wouldn't be long now.221

The wolf watched as something began to grow from the ground. The plant grew a huge blossom of a beautiful flower, which opened to reveal a woman too beautiful to be human. She stepped out to drink from the spring. She looked up. "Who's there?" she called in a voice that seemed so quiet, that you would think that no one could hear. Saro stepped forward and crouched don at her feet.222

Goddess, he spoke to her with his mind. 223

"Saro," she said smiling. "It's been too long."224

Lady, he said. I come to ask...225

"No," the Goddess said. "You committed a crime, and shall pay for it."226

Lady, the wolf said. if I could only let me speak to humans again...227

"And why would I grant you this?" the Goddess said. "You could not speak to the human you were bound to serve, so you shall not speak at all."228

Lady, my mistress needs me. She does not know the danger that follows her. She can not sense it. Please, let me help her. Speak to your sister. Ask the Goddess of Fauna to lift my punishment.229

The Goddess of Flora hesitated. This wolf had refused to serve the one he was bound to, and so lost his twilight star. Her sister had forbidden him to speak to people, or any of the twilight wolves. But his mistress was the Stormcaller. Her brother would not be happy if the Stormcaller was killed, and this point was even more so if the Stormcaller died, and the Goddess could have prevented it. "I stand by my decision," the Goddess said finally. "If you wish to become a twilight wolf again, you must serve the one we gave to you. It is all or none, take it or leave it."230

The wolf hung his head, and walked back into the woods.231

Pt 15232

The Earth Goddess paced nervously, as she waited for her brother to arrive. He had waited a hundred years for the Stormcaller to be born, and he would not be happy to hear that her daughter had refused to help her by not giving the wolf his voice back.233

A light breeze ruffled the goddess' hair. The wind blew stronger, and stronger, until a small tornado had formed. Lightning flashed, and a man was standing there. "You called?" he said.234

"Yes brother," the Goddess said. "I have news that may interest you."235

The God of Air lay back on a cloud. "If this is more about those boring creatures down there, I really don't want to hear..."236

"If you payed more attention to those 'boring creatures' you would know a lot more."237

"Really?" the God said, amused at the idea.238

The Goddess straightened. She would not let her brother get the best of her. "I went down to earth for my usual greeting of the seasons," she began. Her brother yawned, and she just barely managed to hold in her anger. "While I was there, a wolf appealed to me to have his punishment removed..."239

"Isn't that a little out of your league?" The God of Air said. "After all, most animal matters are left to the Goddess of Fauna..."240

"It is my business when creatures I put my heart into creating disobey my daughter!" The Earth Goddess exploded.241

"Yes, yes, of course it is," the God said, yawning. "Now what does this wolf have to do with my learning?"242

Anger still raged inside the Goddess, but she continued to speak. "I silenced this wolf because he refused to serve his master. He asked that his punishment be removed so that he may speak to his new mistress he has adopted; to warn her of dangers that lurked about her. I refused, and his punishment stands."243

The God yawned again. "I still don't see what this has to do with me."244

The Goddess' eyes flashed. "His mistress is The Stormcaller."245

The God fell off the cloud he had been laying on. "Why didn't you mention that in the first place?!"246

The goddess smiled smugly. "You didn't want to know about those 'boring creatures'."247

The God of Air quickly vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving the Earth Goddess behind, to sit smugly, knowing her brother's panic and rage.248

The God of Air watched as they sat around a fire. He could see the wolf his sister had talked about. Across from the wolf was a man the God quickly dismissed. He was a normal human; nothing more, nothing less. There was a child asleep next to the wolf with a fairly strong magical aura, and sitting there, with her hand on the wolf's head was... yes it had to be her.249

The God watched the woman with silver wings as she sat by the fire. Her gold hair catches the light so perfectly, the God thought. She's just as I remembered her. How I have missed her. It was my fault she was killed the first time. I will not make the same mistake again; she will be mine.250

In the middle of the night, Talon awoke with a start. He had been having strange dreams again. Dreams of a man with black wings being thrown into a dungeon, dreams of Saro talking to a woman in a flower, and dreams of... a God. A God who wanted to take Luna away from them. Talon shivered at the thought, and snuggled up against Saro, only to fall back into a restless sleep.251

Pt 16252

Luna stroked Talon's hair as he turned restlessly in his sleep. "What's wrong?" Derron asked.253

"He's dreaming," Luna said.254

Talon looked around. The town was empty, and for a good reason. House were fallen, buildings were beaten, people's belongings were scattered in the street. Talon saw a young woman standing there, tears running down her cheeks, the man beside her tried to sooth her. 255

Talon immediately knew that the woman was Luna. It didn't look like her at all; this woman had mousy brown hair, and no wings, but Talon could see it was her. She had the same heart, same powers. She was the same person. This was Luna before...256

Before what? Talon thought. Then it came to him. This was Luna before she was born. The Stormcaller had lived before.257

Talon tried to call out to them, but his voice wouldn't sound. He moved closer to them.258

The man stood beside her, looking gravely over the village. The woman touched the flute she carried around her waist like a sword. "It's all my fault," she whispered.259

"No, it's not," the man tried to assure her.260

" Yes it is!" she said. "They destroyed this town looking for me! They killed all those people trying to find me! If it weren't for me all these people would be alive! Them, and papa, and... and..." She collapsed on the ground, sobbing.261

"It wasn't your fault," The man whispered to her. "None of this was your fault."262

She looked up at him. "I was his mother. I was supposed to take care of him, and I failed. I killed my own son."263

Talon looked shocked. Luna didn't have a son. Maybe this Luna did, he thought. After all, this was a different life, a different past. Wasn't it?264

"It wasn't your fault," the man said more forcefully. He looked up at the grey sky. "It was the fault of that twice damned God. He should be the one to suffer, not you."265

The woman looked gratefully up at him. "I don't know what I would do without you," she said. He hugged her close. 266

"Where is your companion?" he asked.267

"I sent him in the woods. I don't want him to get hurt." The woman was silent for I moment. "Do you think it would be better if..."268

"No," he said. "I won't let you go with him."269

"But if it stops all of this..." she said, looking out over the broken town.270

"Homes can be rebuilt."271

"But lives can't," she said. "I don't want to lose you." The two held each other close.272

Talon looked at them. They were meant to be together. He just knew it. A breeze blew past him, and he barely noticed, but when it grew stronger, he knew it was not just wind. "Run!" Talon tried to shout, but they couldn't hear him.273

The God of Air sat on his cloud, looking down at them. "Hello, my sweet Stormcaller," he said. "Have you come to a decision?"274

"She's not coming with you," the man said fiercely.275

The God turned to him. "I don't believe that is your decision to make."276

The woman looked at the man, then at the God. "You swear all of this will stop? No more searches? No more deaths?"277

The God lazily lay back on his cloud. "I'll do my best."278

"No," the man repeated. "She will not come with you."279

The God turned to him once more. "You try my patience."280

"And you try my mine," the man said. "You take away the life she knew, make her run for years, kill her family, then expect her to come with you? I thought Gods were supposed to be wise."281

"Enough!" the God's voice boomed like thunder. "If you dare to speak to me this way, you will pay the price!"282

Talon saw lightning form in the God's hand, and saw it hurling towards the man. "No!" The old Luna shouted. She reached out and grabbed the lightning before it could hit the man. Talon turned away to shield his eyes form the bright light. When he turned back, he saw the woman lying on the ground. 283

"No!" he tried to yell, but his voice still wouldn't make a sound. He ran over to her, though the man and God didn't notice him. 284

"No," the man whispered. "She was the Stormcaller." She was the Stormcaller, master of wind and rain, but even one with power over the howling rage of a storm cannot hold a god's power.285

"Maybe next time," the God said, looking as though he was in shock, and he disappeared.286

Talon watched as the man silently wept over the woman's body. In the distance, a single wolf howled. 287

Luna continued to stroke Talon's hair, as Derron moved beside her. "I wonder what he's dreaming about?"288

Pt 17289

Druin looked up as he heard an evil cackle at his cell door. Thorn stood there, smiling evilly. She looks familiar, he thought, groggily.290

Thorn clucked her tongue. "My poor, poor husband," she said. "What have you gotten yourself into?"291

Husband? he thought. Yes, that makes sense.292

Thorn frowned. Something was wrong. He had no comeback to sting her with, and his eyes were dull. "Guard!" she called. 293

A guard came down the hall. "Yes, Lady?"294

"Has he been given any drugs?" she asked.295

"Of course," the guard said, as though it were obvious. "All prisoners on this level are drugged to prevent them from escaping."296

"Let me in."297

"Lady, I'm afraid that..."298

"I said," Thorn said softly, menacingly. "Let me into his cell."299

The guard hesitated, then unlocked the door. "Bring me some water," Thorn said. The guard left to get it, and came back holding a bowl of water and some rags. "Leave us," Thorn commanded.300

Thorn dipped the rag in water, and began to wipe Druin's confused face. She didn't know why she was doing this. If she had captured him, he would be suffering a much worse fate than the drug's effects. Just something about seeing him being tortured by others made her angry. In fact, the only thing that made her angrier is that she was helping him now.301

It's his own fault, she thought. If he had just stayed out of things, and let my damned daughter be used the way she was meant to...302

Thorn went on cleaning Druin, muttering dark things to herself.303

Pt 18304

Saro tugged at the chain that bound him outside of his master's house. This was the fourth time he had been caught and bound, and he couldn't gnaw through the chain like he had with the ropes (not that he hadn't tried).305

His ears perked up as he heard rustling from the forest behind him. He turned to see a grey yearling jump through the underbrush, yipping. Saro stood up to run to the young wolf, but couldn't reach the forest. The young wolf looked upon her father with sorrow as she came up to him.306

Papa, she mind-spoke to him. Why can't you come home?307

Saro nuzzled her. I wish I could, Comet, he said. He tugged harder on the chain. The yearling whimpered. Did you come here by yourself? Saro asked, suddenly concerned.308

The young wolf smiled slightly, looking more like she was snarling then smiling. Mama brought me. As if on cue, a back and white wolf with a star on her neck stepped out of the forest.309

She gracefully walked over to her mate, showing restraint that her daughter clearly didn't have. You're coming home, she said.310

Saro nuzzled his mate. If only.311

No, the black wolf said. You don't understand, you are coming home.312

Saro looked absentmindedly into the forest. There is no way to free me. Not without human hands.313

It's surprising, his mate said. How close humans are to animals.314

Saro looked at her quizzically, the saw the silver collar around her neck. The silver collar bearing an orange stone. You shouldn't.315

The stone belongs to the wolves, and will be used by them, she said. 316

And if you are tempted to keep the human form? Saro asked. The stones of Nidana do not always work in the favor of their bearer.317

Comet walked around them, nervously. We want you home, Papa, she said. We don't care how you get there. 318

Before Saro could protest any more, his mate had become human. She had pale skin, and midnight-black hair. Her white dress flowed as she lifted the stake that Saro was tied to from the ground. Comet yipped with joy as Saro's chain rattled as he ran around, not believing he was free. Noise came from inside the house as Saro's master heard the chain rattling. His mate looked frightened as she tried to change back into a wolf.319

"I don't know how to control the stone in this form," She whispered. Saro stood protectively in front of his mate and daughter. His mate pushed him towards the forest. "Go!" she said. "You're master has no power over us, as he does over you."320

Saro snarled. He would not leave them. He was surprised to see his daughter snarling back. Go! she snapped. You will not be bound again!321

Saro tried to push past his daughter, trying to remind her that she was still a child, only to meet her jaws halfway there. Apparently, she would not be a child in this moment.322

Having been driven towards the forest by his daughter and mate, he ran. He ran fast, and he ran deep into the forest, howling in sorrow, for he knew that he may never again see his daughter and mate. 323

As he ran, the star on his back, the one that marked him as a twilight wolf, began to fade.324

Luna woke with tears in her eyes. She glanced over at the sleeping wolf that had watched over her so protectively. Was her dream real? She had never had one such as this before. Little did she know that Talon knew much more of Saro's past than the little that Luna had dreamt. Luna crawled over to Saro, and began to stroke him. As she ran her hand along his back, she could have sworn she saw the very faint outline of a star.325

Pt 19326

The two Elders talked as they walked down the hallway, talking about what to do about the Stormcaller situation, they opened the doors at the and of the hallway to see Thorn standing there, a superior grin on her face. "Hello, High Elder," she said, wickedly. 327

The High Elder opened his mouth to shout for the guards, when the doors shut behind him. The two harpies that had shut the door gazed at him, daring him to try and get past him. 328

"You know," Thorn said, matter-a-factually. "Now that you're in this situation, it doesn't seem to have been smart to have me put silencing charms on those doors, so that no one could here your 'meetings'." 329

"Why are you here? Can't you leave me with a moment's peace?" 330

"No," Thorn said simply. "In fact, the doors are partially why I'm here. I think it's time to repay your dept to me." 331

"As I was aware," the High Elder said, sweating. "it had already been paid." 332

"Oh, no, not even close," Thorn said, smiling. 333

"What would you have me do?" The Elder asked, as Thorn walked a circle around them, reminding the Elder of a vulture. 334

"As of now, you work for me," Thorn said. The harpies at the door eyed her suspiciously. "you are not worthy enough to work directly for the Harpy King," She added hastily. "When I call, you are there immediately. When I say jump, you ask 'How high?' And when I say post guards at the entrance to every city, so that we may spot my lovely daughter, you do it without hesitation." 335

The Elder's heart beat nervously in his throat. "Consider it done," he said. 336

Thorn stood, by the doors, her black wings folded gracefully. "You will tell me the moment she is sighted. You know I will know if you don't." The harpies reached to open the doors for her, but she stopped them. "Oh, and one more thing..." 337

"Yes?" the Elder croaked. 338

"You will free my husband into my custody." 339

"Why..." 340

"Because I said so!" 341

Pt 20342

Derron lay his hand lightly on the hilt of his sword as they passed through the town. Something didn't feel right. Saro growled softly as the people of the town watched them. Talon nervously held on to Luna's hand, as he tried to avoid the eyes of the townsfolk.343

Luna held her head high as she walked through the town. She was tired of hiding. She would not be afraid of these people. Not again.344

Derron tightened the grip on his sword as three people with black wings landed before them. The three people circled the party, as if trying to understand Luna's silver wings.345

"Well," one of them said. "I didn't think it possible, but apparently there are those who would go through anything to shame their families." She tossed a small bag of money at one of the others. He grinned as he opened it and began to count the silver coins. The woman who tossed him the money bent down next to Talon. "And what's your name?" she said sweetly. 346

"Talon," he whispered.347

"You know," the woman said, again in that sickly-sweet voice. "I have a child a little younger than you who would just love to play..."348

Talon hid behind Luna's skirt. No good could come from these people with black wings.349

The woman stood up and sneered at Luna. "Just because you didn't have the courage to kill doesn't mean you should stop others. You should teach your boy that he should sacrifice himself to us, if necessary."350

Derron's rage had built long enough. He would not let them treat Luna that way!351

He began to draw his sword, when Luna stopped him. "Don't," she whispered. "The last thing we need is more attention."352

Saro, on the other hand, didn't care what she said. He snarled at the three, and they looked down at him with disgust. "So, you must resort to having animals protect you?" one of the men said, not just referring to Saro.353

This time, Derron didn't hold back. He drew his sword and slashed it through the air. The woman barely got out of the way, and looked down at the ground to see a little blood, and several of her feathers.354

"You'll pay for this," she said, reminding Luna of Thorn. And the three took off.355

"We should go," Luna said. "Before the city guards come. 356

Derron nodded, and they headed for the gate of the city, but the gates were locked. Derron turned to see black winged guards standing in a semi-circle around them. Talon hid further behind Luna's skirt.357

"I think we're in trouble," he whispered. 358

Pt 21359

Derron sat in his cell with his head in his hands. How could this have happened? \How?\ He had done everything the way he was told to, the way he was told it was to be done. "You swore nothing would happen!" he yelled to the ceiling. "You swore she would be safe!"360

The God of Air materialized before him. "And she is."361

"You call this safe?" 362

"Can you think of a safer place than a jail?"363

Honestly, Derron couldn't think of a place Luna would be safer from outside forces that wished to use her, but he refused to say so. "You swore to me she would find peace if I did what you said. You swore she would be able to forgive herself for something that wasn't her fault."364

"Truthfully, dishonoring her family was her fault, but we will not go into such matters."365

By then, Derron was steaming. He was going to make this twice damned god honor their agreement if it was the last thing he ever did. "And our bargain?"366

"Oh, she will find peace," the God said. "When I take her away to my kingdom in the clouds. She will have whatever her heart desires."367

Derron was stunned. He couldn't take Luna away. Talon needed her, and that wolf would easily die without a purpose, without having Luna to protect, and Derron... "And what of those who need her here?"368

The god snorted. "I can't very well have mere mortals running around my kingdom, trashing everything, ruining it. Why do you think I sent you here?"369

Derron's anger finally exploded, he lunged at the god, only for the air god to disappear in a puff of smoke, his laughter echoing in the cell.370

The harpies tore around their hive, telling every other harpy they saw about their King's announcement The King usually never addressed them himself, they were not worthy of his attention, but the announcement was to be so huge that he would be there personally.371

Silence fell over the hive as an old, scarred Harpy looked down from the top of the hive. "Brothers!" He cried. "Too long have we been forsaken to this hive of stone, where we live in fear of the sun, and those who live below it. Too long have we crouched in terror while the other races laugh at our pain. The Humans, Dwarfs, and Elves; the Winged Folk, Dragons, and Sorcerers; even demons and spirits were above us, but no more! It is time for us to strike back at those who held us in contempt for so long! I have heard of a weapon more powerful than any that has existed for over a century! And it has been promised to us!" 372

The harpies below cheered wildly. "Oh, blessed leader!" they shouted. "What is this weapon?!"373

The King called for silence. "We have been promised the Stormcaller!"374

Pt 22375

Luna stroked Talon's hair gently, trying to think of some way to calm the frightened child. She remembered that when she was young and scared her father would sing to her. She wracked her brain for something she could sing that wouldn't scare the child even more. Many of her people's songs, even the lullabies, were very dark, and meant to nurture the part of the listeners to kill. Luna had grown up in this world, and whether she had silver wings or black ones, she would never be able to see what was wrong with the way her people lived. That which would scare humans made the winged folk stronger within themselves. She knew that many of the lullabies she had learned would scare the young child, so she decided an the song of the tortured half-wolves, who were neither one race or another.376

Luna sung softly:377

"Wolf Leader, Wolf Leader,378

What have you done?379

You've taken the moon 380

and you've hidden the sun381

Wolf Leader, Wolf Leader, 382

How shall you pay?383

You shall be wolf by night,384

And human by day."385

Talon sniffled and looked up at her. "I know that story," he said. "The wolf cult was punished because they tried to turn the world dark, and make it their hunting ground forever." He cuddled up against Luna. "Tell me what happens next."386

Luna smiled, a small tear running down her cheek. He didn't know that their situation seemed as hopeless as the wolf cult's in the song. She nodded and continued to sing:387

"God's Council, God's Council,388

What of the stars?389

I've left them to guide others390

From afar391

God's Council, God's Council,392

What of my song?393

If sung only at nighttime,394

The days will be long."395

Tears were streaming down Luna's cheeks as Talon fell asleep in her lap. She had fought hard to let her stay with him. She knew that they would never have aloud her to stay with Derron or Saro, but Talon was just a child, and he needed someone. \And I need\ \him\, she thought. And it was true. He was the last fragment of hope she had left. He was all she had to hold onto.396

She looked out through the bars of her cell window, and wondered where her love and her companion were.397

The Goddess of Earth waved her hand over the bowl where they were watching Luna from. "Gods," she said before the council. "Brothers, Sisters, Parents, Friends, this is the life our brother wishes to claim. He wishes to take this young woman from those she holds dear, and cause the past to repeat itself."398

"But sister," one of the Gods stood up and said. "By ancient law, it is his right. He blessed her line with her power, and he has the right to claim her as his own." 399

"Need you be reminded of the past?" one of the Goddess' said. "Need I remind you of the last three Stomcallers? He sought to claim them all, and they all died by his hand. We will never know what is to become of those who are dear to the Stormcaller if she cannot survive long enough for that future to be set. I say we declare her untouchable by the Gods."400

An argument broke out among the Gods. The Earth Goddess held up her hands to command silence. "This Stormcaller's destiny is not yet set. There is still time to see what will become of those she is close to."401

The Goddess waved her hand over the bowl they had seen Luna in before, and the Gods called up a vision of Derron a year later. Derron stood in front of a house, Luna by his side, as they watched the lightning in the distance. Luna sighed, as she leaned back against Derron, her hand across her stomach.402

"She is with a child!" one of the Gods said. "A new Stormcaller would be born! How can you object something that would take a hundred years if she were to die?"403

"But a new Stormcaller would still be born, nonetheless, even if it did take a hundred years. Would a single child be worth defying the most ancient and sacred laws?"404

"What of the others? What of the wolf she travels with?"405

The Earth Goddess waved her hand over the crystal bowl, commanding a vision before her. The vision was not at all what she expected. No where in it was Saro, and the vision was unclear. One minute it would show one thing, and the next minute another. "The path is undecided," she said. "Too many other things influence this one's future.."406

"And the child she cares for?"407

The Earth Goddess waved her hand over the bowl for one last time, and called up a vision of the child. The vision was not set in the time that she had meant to call. She had meant to see the child only a year from now, instead, she saw him seven years in the future. 408

In the vision, Talon was fighting to protect a girl who was about his age, maybe a little younger. The girl was obviously of elven blood, and had two wolves standing beside her. "StarThorn, will you hurry?!" he shouted at the girl, who was preparing herself to fight whatever it was in front of her that the Gods couldn't see.409

"Unwelcome one!" she shouted at the thing she was fighting. "You have plagued our shores for far to long! You were once bound by the Gods, and banished by my ancestor, Alora Wolfheart! Yet you return and take lives that you have no right to!" Light began to form at the tip of the girl's fingers, and the two wolves beside her began to howl, the same light coming from the song. "And so, I banish the, in the name of my great-great-great-great-great-grandmother! I, Alora Wolfheart II, banish the!" 410

The thing recoiled slightly, but soon laughed. "You are barely what she was," The thing said, as it began to resist the spell the girl cast.411

"I..." the girl said, her strength fading. "banish...the..."412

"No!" Talon yelled. He called upon his own power, and gave it to her. There was a flash of light, and the thing was gone.413

The vision ended. In the second before the creature was banished, the Gods saw the thing they had bound so long ago, and shuddered at the thought of fighting it again.414

"I think," the Earth Goddess said, her shocked voice breaking the silence. "That we all agree that the life of this child is valuable enough to break the ancient laws?" The Gods nodded. "Then it is done!" The Council adjourned.415

Pt 23416

Druin looked around as he groggily tried to remember the last few days. He remembered being struck with something by one of the elders, he remembered the drugs in his food, and he remembered... Thorn? Yes, he remembered Thorn.417

He remembered her coming to his cell and cleaning the blood off of his back from where he had been struck, and he remembered her commanding others to let him out of his cell, but why would she do such things? She was Thorn; her heart blacker than the midnight sky, her words sharp, and her deeds terrible. She cared for no one and nothing, so why would she help him. Druin sat on the bed, wondering what she was planning. 418

Thorn stood before the Harpy King in the harpy's giant hive. "I have been hearing disturbing things, Lady Thorn," the King said in a raspy voice. 419

"What kind of things, Highness?" Thorn asked innocently.420

"Things about my subjects, and how when they are around you, they seem to disappear."421

"That is the risk they take."422

"You can not simply kill any of my subjects!" the King raged. "We need them for the armies that will march in after the storm destroys the cites! When one of us dies, we all feel their death! My armies will be too weak and pathetic to fight anything if this continues!"423

"They are weak and pathetic already," Thorn said. 424

"If you value your life, you will hold your tongue."425

Thorn laughed scornfully. "You grow arrogant," she said. "You can not afford to lose me, or you will be back to where you started, alone, and dead the second you step out of your hive. You knew the nature of my race long before you hired me to help you, and it is your own fault that your people died."426

The King stared at her speechless. He would never let anyone speak to him that way, but she was right. She had complete and total power over him, and she knew it. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed her.427

Saro looked up at the stars as he sat outside. He had gotten no sleep. All night the guards had tormented him. He tried to close his eyes, but he was far to aware of what was in the air to sleep. There was change on the horizon. The creatures on the island were restless. They dug their burrows deeper, and took every hiding spot in the forest. They waited in fear as the storm came.428

Talon stirred restlessly on Luna's lap as he slept. He was having dreams again. Dreams of Gods that talked about him and Luna how he was supposed to help some girl stop something bad. He didn't know what they were trying to do, but on some level, he knew that whatever would happen next would change their path.429

Derron sat with his head in his hands. How could he have been so foolish? He was so ready to help Luna, so willing to protect her, that he had promised anything to that twice damned god to keep her safe. He had sworn in blood that he would give anything to save her. He lay down, hoping that sleep would bring peace.430

Lightning and thunder surrounded the God of Air as he raged towards where his sister was. "How dare you?!" he boomed. "How dare you interfere with my plans?!"431

The Earth Goddess was calm. "As always brother, you fail to see the big picture. Do you know what that child that follows her will become? Do you know what will happen if she is taken away from him?"432

"I know of the threat!" he yelled. "But with the Stormcaller, we wouldn't need him, and would be powerful enough to defeat the threat on our own!" 433

"Don't be a fool!" the Earth Goddess hissed. "We are only remnants of what we once were. We only managed to defeat Nidana before because we had the fifth element willing to fight with us, not just the four that remain. And we had the Wolfheart girl, who fought with the spirit of one not from our world."434

"The Wolfheart line still exists." 435

"But the spirit of the first Wolfheart is nearly lost. Only the wolf of the fifth element knew the secret of the worlds."436

"What have we come to," the Air God said. "When mere animals know more about our creations than we do?"437

The Earth Goddess took great offense in that. Mere animals?! How dare he mock her creations?!438

"It doesn't matter one way or another," The God of Air said, suddenly calm. "While you were gathering the Gods far your little meeting, I made a blood pact with a mortal. And you know as well as I that a blood pact can only be broken by those within it. Not even other Gods can interfere." The Earth Goddess looked stunned. "Farewell, sister dear."439

Pt 24440

The God of Air paced, trying to get around the God's council. The council had forbidden him to bring the girl unwillingly, but he had made a pact with the mortal to do anything in his power to keep her safe. He couldn't disobey the God's council, nor did they have the power to break the pact he made. He looked down on the Stormcaller as she slept. Her dream floated lazily around her, and the god got an idea. He reached down to touch the dream.441

Luna woke up in a bed swathed with silk sheets and bed hangings. She looked around to see where she was. She was surrounded by white fluffy clouds, and a sea of blue sky.442

"So, you wake, sweet one," a voice said, seemingly coming from no where. Luna looked around, and saw a glowing figure standing at the end of her bed.443

Luna opened her mouth to speak, but he answered her question before you could ask it "I am the God of Air," he said. 444

In any other case, Luna would have found herself bowing before him. He was a god, after all. "Instead, she found herself asking him, "Don't you have another name?"445

"Not one that should ever be spoken on mortal lips," he came closer. "But you," he said. "Don't have to be mortal."446

She once again opened her mouth to speak, but he answered her before she could. "I can make you immortal," he said. "You could become a Goddess, worshiped and loved by all. And all you have to do..." he leaned over to whisper in her ear. "Is be mine."447

She was about to say that her heart was taken, and that she would never be his, when she felt a tug calling her back. Calling her to wake. "Before you refuse," the god said, handing her the silver flute the guards had taken from her when she had been imprisoned. "Think of what you could do for your friends."448

Talon didn't like that thing that floated around Luna. That thing that invaded her dreams, he began to shake her, trying to wake her up. When Luna woke, she held a silver flute in her hand.449

Pt 25450

The Elder walked into Luna's cell. "What do you want?" Luna snapped, knowing immediately who he was. He was the Elder who had brought the subject of her silver wings into the council, and how she could have been a bad influence on the other evil children. They had voted that she be sentenced to be a sacrifice to their demonic gods.451

"We are here to negotiate the terms of your release," the Elder said.452

"Why would you want to release me?" Luna said, her feathers ruffling. "I'm nothing more than a menace to society, remember?"453

"Our position concerning your rather unfortunate... condition has changed."454

"Oh, so you mean now I can be of some value to you, you are going to work me like a slave until I am of no further use."455

"I really do wish you would consider our proposal," The Elder said. "It would be a shame if your trial was delayed... for twenty years." 456

Luna snorted. "Since when are there ever trials?"457

The Elder pursed his lips. "Do reconsider," he said. "I know for a fact that your powers are barely developed, and you would barely be able to call a rain shower at your will. I doubt that you would be able to call something to get you out of here, even if you did have means to control it."458

Once the Elder left, Luna pulled the flute out from under her pillow, and smiled.459

Winds swirled around the jail in a violent rage, as Luna played long-forgotten notes from deep within her memory. The notes she wove into the violent march were not from her memory, nor the previous Stormcaller's but from the very first of her line. She played the Stormcaller's March. The roof was ripped off the jail as she played, but she didn't notice. There was only her and her music.460

An eerie calm had fallen over Talon as he watched Luna play. Small gust escaped from the larger storm and reached out to ouch him, only to be batted away by Luna's music.461

Talon listened silently as a howl some distance away joined in. Saro lifted his nose to the sky and sung to the storm.462

Derron walked through the storm, tendrils of the wind reaching out to catch him, but being pulled away, just as they had done to Talon. He put his hand on Luna's shoulder, knowing better than to interrupt her with the greeting he desired.463

Together, the four stood at the eye of the storm.464

The Earth Goddess waved her hand over her seer's bowl as she tried to find something, anything that could help her. She looked into the lives of the previous Stormcallers, watching each of them parish in the way Luna surly would if she didn't find something. She stopped at the life of the previous Stormcaller, nearly a century before. The Goddess' eyes widened when she realized that she was giving birth. How had this escaped them? Surly one of the gods must have noticed another Stormcaller being born?465

The Goddess smiled wickedly as she looked into the Stormcaller child's mind. This was not a true Stormcaller, yet she was born to one. She had power, but not that of her mother. She would be gifted with an unnaturally long life span, and power that lie not in clouds and storms, but in potions and spells. The Goddess had seen her as she watched the new Stormcaller's journey, and she knew exactly where to find her.466

Pt 26467

"To what do I owe this... honor," Thorn asked as the Earth Goddess appeared behind her.468

"Can a Goddess not simply contact mortals in hope of being worshiped?" She asked sweetly. "But then again, you're not mortal, are you?"469

"It's not polite to ask a lady's age."470

Druin stood behind the door, listening.471

"It is when it may answer the question of what will happen to the Stormcaller, and when it may impact my brother's fate."472

Thorn's eyes flashed. "Why should the Stormcaller and your brother be my concern?"473

"Well, the fact that the Stormcaller is your daughter may have something to do with it, and you must have heard what happened to the last Stormcaller a century ago..."474

"I remember damn well what happened!" Thorn yelled, the shudders suddenly opening with a bang.475

The Goddess remained calm. "Then you're not mortal," she said. Thorn growled like a caged animal thirsty for blood. The Goddess looked over at the shudders. "And my best guess is that your mother didn't have the chance to give you her powers before she died."476

"Out!" Thorn yelled, pointing at the door. The potion she had been brewing had bubbled over as her anger increased.477

The Goddess clucked her tongue. "Temper, temper. You shouldn't shout at a goddess like that, bad things could happen."478

"I don't care," Thorn said. "Just stay away. Stay away from me, my husband and my daughter." Thorn was shocked by the words she just said. For twenty years, she ridiculed her husband, and refused to acknowledge her daughter, yet here she was, trying to protect them. 479

"Fine," the Goddess said cooly. "Personally, I wouldn't want my daughter to die by the same person that killed my mother, but then again, I don't have midnight wings."480

The Goddess disappeared. And for the first time in a long time, Thorn sat down, and cried.481

Pt 27482

The blizzard grew stronger as Luna and the other three advanced further up the mountain. 483

"Luna!," Derron called from behind her. "Is there anything you can do about the storm?"484

Luna shook her head, no. She had a feeling she could, if she had the skill. She knew that she was the cause of this storm, as she had been responsible for all the others they had encountered, but she couldn't control it.485

Talon hugged his cloak tighter around himself as he snuggled against Luna this didn't really help her advance through the storm, but it made him feel safe, and that's what counted.486

Talon shuddered, and not from the cold. Something was after them, something had followed them, and it wasn't human. 487

A loud screech came from above them, as two harpies swooped down, and picked up Talon and Luna. Derron let out an angry cry, while Saro jumped into the air. He managed to catch the leg of the harpy that held Talon in its claws, but he didn't manage to keep its grip. Derron and Saro stood there was they watched the harpies carry Luna and Talon off into the storm.488

Druin cautiously stepped out of the room, and over to the place on the floor that Thorn had not moved from since the goddess had confronted her.489

Thorn straightened up as she saw him coming. Of course, Druin thought. Never show weakness.490

Thorn believed in that policy more than anything. Druin knelt beside her, and moved her hair out of her face. He had forgotten how beautiful she was. "So," he said.491

"So," Thorn repeated, her voice still full of tears.492

"You need to help her," Druin said.493

"Why?" Thorn asked bitterly.494

Druin kissed her lightly. "Because she's your daughter."495

Thorn looked at him, as if confused, then nodded, and went to find out where she was.496

Pt 28497

Saro ran out into the storm, wind and snow blowing against him. He heard the other human, the one Luna loved, call him, but it didn't matter. His mistress was in danger!498

Saro sniffed the air, trying to regain the harpies foul scent, but all he smelled was the snow. He walked blindly through the storm, trying to find his way back to Derron, or to the harpies, anywhere...499

The cold and snow bit at his eyes and nose as his fur ruffled to retain some heat. He was not built for this type of weather. The wolf fell several times as he plowed through the snow. He knew there was something ahead. 500

He stumbled into the cave, and collapsed onto the dry floor. He looked outside in dismay, knowing he would not be able to go out until the storm died down, and the trail would be long gone by then. He needed help, if only there was someone he could call...501

Saro lifted his nose and howled. He needed help...502

In a blast of warmth, the Earth Goddess appeared before him. "I must admit, you are stubborn," she said. "We give you a human, you run away. We bring you back, you escape again. You lose your voice, yet you stand by this other human. We refuse to let you speak to her, or know in any way what you are, yet you still stand by her, and are arrogant enough to ask my daughter, Flora, to speak to her sister, and you conjure me..." Saro hung his head in shame. The goddess took a breath. "You clearly care more about this human than anything else, which is why my daughters and I..." Saro prepared for the worst. "have decided to give you your voice back." Saro looked up at her in wonder. She opened her had, revealing a star which she held out to the wolf. Saro drew closer, and touched his nose to it. There was a flash of light, and when it had dimmed, the earth goddess had left, feeling her work was done, and Saro had a star on his back that had been gone for so long. He pointed his nose to the ceiling, and let out a howl that held something that hadn't been there before.503

Derron sat in a cave far from the one where Saro had regained his voice, and tried to start a fire. Why had he trusted that damned god? The god swore she would be safe, so he put them in a jail. Who knew what he planned with those harpies?504

There was a slight swooshing sound as a woman with midnight black wings and dark eyes entered the cave. Derron stood up, his sword tightly clenched in his hand. "Who are you?" he demanded. "And what do you want?"505

"You could say that I am a concerned citizen," the woman said with an silky voice. "who has come to make sure nothing happens to the Stormcaller."506

"Really?" Derron said spitefully, knowing that anyone who wanted to find Luna couldn't be up to any good. "And what is it you want with her?"507

"I want nothing more than to right a wrong that was done years ago," Thorn said, seeming to be struggling with the words. "And I know you will never find the harpies hive alone." 508

Derron put his sword down. "I'm listening."509

Pt 29510

The God of Air gritted his teeth as he saw the wolf run out into the storm after Luna. Why couldn't they just leave well enough alone?! He shut the clouds he was looking through, and hurled a lightning bolt into the air above him. He heard that damnable wolf howl from below, but ignored him. There had to be something he could do. He was ready to strike the wolf when he howled again, but stopped when he noticed what was in the wolf's song. "No," he whispered. When he heard it again, he let out a cry of rage.511

"Oh, is my dear wittle bwother a wittle upset?" he heard a voice say behind him. He turned to the earth goddess, his eyes blazing.512

"You gave him a voice?!" the god boomed.513

"No," The earth goddess said. "He earned it back." She smiled wickedly, knowing she had won this round. Her brother screamed, and hurled lightning at her, but she was gone. 514

Saro howled, feeling the magic of his ancestors running through him again. It was so good to be able to speak to his pack again. Through the blizzard, he could make out the vague shapes of creatures. As he halted his song, a pack of white wolves, each bearing a star somewhere on them entered the cave.515

Brother, they said. It has been too long.516

Derron listened intently as Thorn told him her plan. He didn't trust her. Not at all. She refused to tell him who she was, where she came from, or what her connection with Luna was. Yet he sat there, knowing that this woman may be his only chance to save Luna. 517

Thorn watched the boy's expression as she told him her "plan." She knew he didn't trust her, but it didn't matter. There would be a storm, and it would bring her to glory, or drag everyone else down with her.518

"Sir!" a man said, entering the High Elder's chamber, panting.519

"What is it?" the Elder said impatiently.520

"Sir, it's the harpies, they're attacking the city by the thousands!" 521

"Damn!" the Elder said. "Mark my words, this is Thorn's doing!"522

Druin sat in the pub along the coastline, having fled the city soon after Thorn had left. He knew that something was coming, and he wasn't going to stay in the city to witness it.523

Talon shut his eyes tightly as they were carried across the mountains. He felt Luna behind him, and he knew she was even more scared than he was. He felt power radiate from her, and knew that couldn't be good.524

Luna felt tears run down her cheeks as the thing carried her. She should have left when she could; she should have never come back...525

Thunder boomed over head, and was heard across the entire island as the storm that had been gathering for weeks reached its peak.526

Pt 30527

The storm tore at the hive as Luna's rage and panic grew stronger. The harpies inside patched up the places that the storm tore off the hive as if they did it everyday. They would not let this storm bather them.528

The storm had spread across the entire island. Everywhere, people felt Luna's panic and fear through the thunder that deafened them, and the winds that threatened to carry them away. The harpies outside the hive bore the storm, and captured anyone stupid enough to roam out into it. They assisted it in any way they could, from tearing pieces of houses off to throwing people into the storm.529

The storm raged on, and the harpies were sure that their victory would come, and the reign of the harpies would begin.530

Luna pulled at the chains as the harpies tormented her, trying to make her rage stronger; make the storm stronger. Lightning flicked at her finger tips, but she refuses to let it loose. If she did, she knew what it would do. It would destroy everything that was in it's path, and Talon was here.531

I can save you, an arrogant voice whispered in her ear. I could take you away from all this mortal nonsense. All you would have to do is be mine...532

Luna ignored the god's voice as she tried to control her rage.533

Saro watched the cave as the woman of Luna's blood spoke to Derron. He didn't trust this woman. He couldn't read her intentions. None the less, if she could get Luna back, he didn't care.534

"Interesting plan," Derron said. "Though I still don't see what's in it for you."535

"It's none of your business what's in it for me," Thorn snapped. "It's the only way to get her back, whether you understand it or not."536

"Fine," Derron said. "But you haven't told me what my part is."537

"Your part," Thorn said, stepping behind Derron. "Is to be the unconscious lover, the only one who could stand in 'their,' meaning my, way." A moment later, everything Derron knew went black. 538

Pt 31539

The aged harpy king slowly limped down the darkest tunnel of the hive, remembering the good old days. Ahh, what a century that had been! The harpies ran rampant about the island, taking what they would, destroying all in their path. Ahh, what glory...540

Until that little brat stole our glory, the harpy king thought bitterly. She stole our glory with the storms she so easily controlled. He chuckled to himself. It was ironic that the one who brought them down a century before would help them rise again. 541

The harpy king stopped when he got to what seemed to be the end of the tunnel. Workers had stopped carving the hive here when they felt a strange presence. It was this presence the king sought. He turned to his right where there appeared to be a solid wall. The simple illusion never ceased to amuse him. He walked strait forward, expecting to run into the wall he knew wasn't there, but instead stepping into another, far more narrow tunnel. He walked slowly down the pass, following a barely visible green glow. 542

As he approached the end of the tunnel, the glow grew stronger, until he reached a toxic-looking stream. He bent down, his fragile limbs groaning, and threatening to break, and drank the green water.543

"Back again?" a voice said from nowhere. "Now, if you're going to be greedy, my price may go up a bit."544

The harpy king looked up at the God of Air, and snarled. "You'd drink to if you had five centuries of death pressing on your bones."545

The God of Air clucked his tongue;"Now, now, be nice. I brought you back for a reason, and you will live twice the centuries you did before if my plan works."546

The harpy king glared, and continued to drink. Feeling the message had been reinforced, the arrogant god left. The harpy king sat quietly by the stream for a while, thinking about what glory would come when his task was done, before a different voice cut across the silence of the cavern. 547

"Finally! Do you know how long I've waited to catch you here?" Thorn sneered.548

The king turned to her with a glare. "Mind your own business," he snapped.549

Thorn shook her head. "You know /majesty/ that you really shouldn't yell at person in control..." Two angry looking harpies stepped out from behind her. "or hide eternal life from your subjects. It can make them mad. And when they're mad..." The harpies grabbed their king. "They tend to become disloyal."550

The king barely struggled as the harpies dragged him to Thorn. "You won't turn my subjects against me," he hissed.551

"Oh, but I can," she said, filling a vial with the liquid from the stream. "After all, once they find out that you've been breaking the bond that you all share with this, they will be quite displeased."552

"That doesn't break the bond!" He cried. "I have felt all their deaths! All their emotions! The bond has not, and can not be broken!" 553

"Oh," Thorn said, fingering a small pouch of powder. "but it can be." She poured the powder into the water. It fizzed for a moment before the bubbles died down. The two harpies forced his mouth open. "Now take your medicine like a good boy," Thorn said sweetly, then Thorn poured the liquid down his throat. "Now isn't that better, she said in the same sickly-sweet tone. The two harpies dragged their king out, and left Thorn to the rest. Thorn filled another vial with the water, and turned to leave. "And so that their is no more interference..." She tossed a little bag into the river. She quickly left before there was a small explosion, and the cavern that held the river of life was no more. 554

Pt 32555

Thorn threw the harpy king to the ground, as the harpies below her screeched in outrage. "This is the king who has claimed to lead you!" she creamed over the noise. "This is the king that has claimed to have shared in your pain! But ask yourselves, if his claims are true, and he has felt your pain, why can you not feel his?!" Thorn plunged the knife into his back, and he died with little struggle. The harpies around her fell silent, shocked at what they had seen. "I come to you, not as one of your race, but as one of another race that must be freed. Make me your leader, and you will get that which you deserve." 556

The harpies stood in silence, wondering if they should take her offer.557

Saro stood in the center of the circle the pack had created, and more wolves struggled to reach them through the blizzard that raged outside.558

What you are proposing will take much, one of the wolves said to Saro. I am not entirely sure it would be worth it.559

It would, Saro replied fiercely. It would be worth it to stop those creatures from stealing our cubs. It would be worth it to restore peace and go back to creating the bonds we were meant to, bound to. Tell me it would not be worth it to see this island flourish once again.560

You are strange, another wolf said. Strange, but wise.561

The wolves set to devising a way to execute their plan.562

Pt 33563

Luna walked slowly as the harpies led her through the halls. Talon sat next to a forlorn looking Derron. He looked away from her gaze, ashamed at what he had brought upon them. She wished he wouldn't. It was never his fault.564

A sense of calmness floated over her as eyes stared out at her from he catacombs. Luna knew that these things that peered out at her were not the only thing watching.565

She entered a vast hall, a woman with midnight wings staring unblinkingly at her. "So," the woman's clear voice rang out. "This is the Stormcaller we have hunted. The one we have fought to take claim of."566

"No one may claim me," Luna said, her voice trembling slightly, making her bast effort to sound confident. 567

"Ah, so you wish," Thorn's voice called out. "We are not the first to try and claim you, nor will we be the last. Your powers are desired by all, young one, and you have no one to protect you. You are alone."568

Luna's gaze shifted away from this cold woman. She remembered back on the boat. She was alone. She always had been, it was her path...569

No, she thought. Not alone. There was Saro. And Papa, and Derron... By myself, but never alone...570

She looked up at the woman, who had continued speaking. "You have no control," Thorn said spitefully. "You are an outcast among your own..."571

"No," Luna's voice rang out, not having to feign confidence now. "They were never my own. I was born to their race, but not to their hearts. I do not belong to the cruelty that has a death hold on my race, but to the storm..."572

"That destroys even more than your race!"573

"That brings new life from old," Luna continued on. "That brings down what is no longer needed to make room for what is You say I'm outcast, that I can be owned, but no one may own the storm.574

Thorn stood in admiration (that she refused to admit existed) before her daughter. This girl dared to speak to her like that, and that was worth something. Few people actually believed what they said in the face of danger, yet this girl, her daughter stood before her, unmasked, and ready to take whatever came for her. Thorn gave a slight nod, and a silver arrow shot out at Luna. A bolt of lightning struck through the hive and hit the arrow. The walls of the hive cracked, and the storm was let in. Luna stood there, wavering slightly as the storm blew around her. Harpies everywhere flew frantically into the catacombs, fleeing for their lives. 575

Thorn and Luna stared at each other for a moment as the storm grew stronger, the eye centering itself over the hive. For a moment time stopped, neither mother or daughter truly knowing who the other was,then, Thorn threw herself into the heart of the storm.576

Pt 34577

Druin sat in the cave amongst the mountains. He /had/ to follow her. He couldn't just let her be...578

A wolves howl came from outside, making his hair stand on end. Saro stepped through the cave mouth, a grin on is face.579

Luna watched the storm rage around her. Harpies screamed into the night, and she just watched it happen. They deserved it. As she thought these thoughts of vengeance, the very tips of her wings began to turn dark.580

Derron watched the chaos around him as he held the child close. He had to have some purpose. This couldn't be all he was meant to do...581

Talon's calm eyes looked out of the prison cell, winds outside the jail chamber howling. It was coming. All was going to come to be that must come to pass, no matter who it pleased...582

The Earth Goddess laughed quietly to herself at her brother's rage. He had lost! He had completely and utterly lost! As she chuckled to herself, a dark cloud formed behind her... 583

Pt 35584

The Earth Goddess stood, bound by the dark cloud that had formed around her. "You will pay for this, brother dear..." 585

The God of Air laughed. "You will no, longer stand in my way," he hissed, disappearing. 586

Luna looked around at the hive which lay in ruins. Harpies lay amongst the rubble. Derron and Talon stood behind her, staring, as the too-late wolves gathered as well. 587

"Luna," Talon whispered. "Your wings..." 588

Luna glanced back at her wings. The very tips of each feather had turned black. Not the jet black she remembered her mother's to be, but black none the less. 589

The sky began to cloud, streaks of lightning dancing across it. The God of Air appeared, three times his normal size. "ENOUGH!" his voice like the thunder that came after lightning. "YOU'RE MINE!" 590

Pt 36591

Thorn shifted from the rubble, examining the minor scratches she had gained. There are advantages to being immortal... she thought. She examined herself further, and found that her plan had worked. Perfect.592

Clouds began to swirl overhead, and thunder and lightning crashed in their eternal dance. That damned god was there, yelling at her daughter. The day had come.593

A mother sat with her young child, who giggled as the rain cloud floated above her head. The mother winced as she cut her palm slightly, allowing a trickle of blood flow onto the amulet in her hand. She looked over at her daughter and smiled.594

"Rose," she said. The young girl looked up at her. 595

"Yes, Mama?"596

"Rose, I have something very important to tell you. There is someone after me. He's a very bad man, no matter what he says. He's going to come for me, and he will probably catch me." She handed the amulet to her daughter. "I want you to take this. If he ever finds you, Raise this to him. Hold it up before him, as if you were giving it to him. Can you do this?"597

Rose took the pendant, and placed it around her neck. "Uh, huh."598

Rose awoke to a crash of thunder, and her brother shaking her. "Go outside," he said. 599

"Why..."600

"Go!" he yelled, making tears well up in Rose's eyes. She didn't like being yelled at, especially not by her brother.601

She ran down the hallway, and out the door. Clouds were swirling around her house. Her Mama and Papa were yelling. Rose ran into the garden, and hid in the rose bushes her mother had gotten her name from. The thorns stuck her from all sides, and made more tears well up in her eyes, but something told her that she need to be quiet. She closed her eyes and wished that everything would go away...602

Rose opened her eyes slowly as the sun began to rise. It seemed to come so slow...603

The house was gone. Her Mama and Papa stood before it, looking at the rest of the town. Her Mama began to cry. Rose was about to come out, when the man appeared again. He said something, and her father began to yell. There was lightning, and then...604

Rose sat, horrified, as she watched her mother die. Silent tears fell from her eyes. Her brother lay amongst the rubble of the house, and her mother lay in front of it. Her father sat there for a long time, seeing that all he had was a dead son, dead wife, and a daughter who had been lost to the storm, and after some time, took his own life. 605

Rose sat there, now numb to the thorns of the rose bush that still pierced her skin, and her heart froze, and her wings turned black. The amulet lay forgotten around her neck, the thorns scratching her skin, and left, to find someone who would take care of her. Not love her, but take care of her. Somewhere where she could start over...606

Thorn stood, brushing rubble away from her, called to the god, and held up the amulet, as if offering a gift... 607

Pt 37608

The god watched Thorn as she held up the amulet, and he was puzzled but not displeased. This puny mortal was offering him a gift... how touching. He reached down, only to see a shadow spring from it. The shade began to take form, until it was in the form of a woman. Her features kept changing, but he recognised the faces that would form for no more than a second. They were the faces that haunted him for years...609

"HOW DARE YOU?!" The screeching voice of the shade wrung out. "Were you not so satisfied with our lives, that you must claim another?!"610

"No," He said. "I loved you..."611

The three voices cackled in unison. "You loved our power! You loved that a mortal could be so blessed, so powerful! We know of your intentions when you "blessed" us! You took our lives, for the sake of your own power, and you will not take another!"612

The shades began to swirl into a tornado, whirling around the god. He just laughed. Dead or not, they still had the spirit of a mortal, and could not harm him.613

His head began to blur, images filling his head. He saw a wolf laying on the ground, mourning the loss of his Stormcaller... a man, getting ready to take his own life... a child, sitting alone in a rose bush... they were filling him with the pain he had caused.614

"Stop!" he said. He snatched at the shades sending them into different directions. "You are memories! Nothing more! That pain no longer exists..."615

/But it does,/ a Derron thought. /I know it, Talon and Saro know it.../616

/Then show him,/ a voice answered.617

Derron stood up, and came over to the god, offering his hand. "What's this?" The god asked. "Another gift?" He reached out to take Derron's hand.618

When he grabbed hold, Derron remembered all that painful things he could; Luna leaving after they had met, fear at her flying into the storm, when the harpies took her away...619

Talon saw blue light fly from Derron to the god, and knew what he was doing, maybe he could help... Talon touched the god's robe, and remembered the first time he'd been hit, the silver people that had come to them in the city...620

The wolves ran around them, howling their woes; singing of the harpies that had so often claimed their young, of the snow that bit them, and the rain that blinded them as they hunt... Saro was among them, singing of his lost daughter and mate, of his knew mistress he had yet to speak to...621

Luna stood there, watching them risk everything for her. She wouldn't let it be in vain. She walked up to the god, and touched his robe. She remembered her mother and father fighting, having to beat off people who hated her for her wings, never having a home...622

The god clutched his head. Too many memories. Too much mortal pain. Never before had he been so glad to disappear, as the other god's summoned him to the heavens.623

"Thank you!" he exclaimed as the gods stared down at him. "You saved me..." He was silent when he met the gods' glares. They parted, and made way for the Earth Goddess.624

"Brother," she said icily. "You have been found guilty of high crimes against the Gods' council. Is there anything you wish to say before you are sentenced?"625

"Surely," he said, his voice wavering slightly. "You didn't tale that binding seriously? I mean, I admit I was a little..."626

"No?" The goddess said, smiling. "Then you are hereby sentenced to relinquish your powers, and are bound until we find someone to replace you..."627

The god hung his head in sham, and heard no more.628

Luna breathed in the clean air as the clouds cleared up. Derron, Talon, and Saro stood behind her. She turned. "Let's go home," she said.629

Thorn sat where she was. It was over. She stood, her back aching, she didn't know /how/ she was going to get home now that she was... changed. She sighed, and began to walk.630

Pt 38631

Saro sat on the bow, looking out over the water. He always liked the sea air, he just never realized how much he'd missed it. /Where are we going?/ he asked Luna.632

/You'll see.../633

The four immediately began towards the vast forest as soon as they had docked. Luna had smiled when a young boy came up, and offered to tie the boat up for a copper.634

Familiar smells filled Saro's nose as they walked down the path. Where were they? 635

A growling filled his ears, as a red she-wolf stood before him. /Get away from my home,/ she said. Luna stepped, aside and revealed Saro. Comet stood there, not believing who she saw. /Papa?/ she asked, and ran up to him. She yipped and jumped around him as if she were a puppy again. There were little whines behind them as a young male, and three cubs approached them. Saro looked upon his daughter with pride, but a question lingered in his eyes. Comet turned, and led him to her den. Inside, a woman with greying hair sat, her white dress stained, a ring with an orange stone on her finger. Her eyes lightened a little when she saw Saro.636

"This body ages so much quicker," she croaked looking down at the ring. "I can't take it off..." Luna bent down, and pulled the ring from her finger. The woman's shape began to change, and she resumed her wolf form.637

Derron rapped his arms around Luna, and Talon smiled, as the family was reunited638

Druin watched over the reconstruction of the town. His daughter's storm had destroyed much of it...639

"Is there any way I can help?" a silky voice from behind him said. 640

"Thorn?" he whispered, shocked. Her wings...641

The woman stood there, and she was a woman, not a monster. Human. The wings that had forsaken her for so long had been given to the storm at the hive. "No," she said. "Rose." she looked at the town. "Much work is going to be needed to rebuild..."642

"Yes," replied Druin, smiling. "But from destruction, we are reborn."643

~Fin~644

That once lived is born again645

For life and desth walk hand in hand646

The path is chosen, 647

As was before648

Until the cycle ends649

And there is no more650

~poem that inspired Stormcaller