Luana held the harden steel in her hands. The sword felt awkward, foreign, to her. Even on her goat farm, she never used large weapons to defend her herd. She only ever carried a small knife and relied mainly on her cunning and the element of surprise to scare off the beasts that would hunt her flock. She always avoided bring death to any living creature. Yet, now, she was being told her only option to defend her child was to kill.
Baylin faced Luana, placing his hands on her shoulders. “I know you are apprehensive, but it is vital you learn how to defend yourself. Women of the Keld are raised carrying a sword, even if they never use it, they know how. She may appear prim and proper, but you can rest assured that Isla was taught by the sword.”
A cool breeze blew through the air, lifting Luana’s silvery blonde hair around her face. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath in through her nose, releasing it slowly through her mouth. She opened her eyes and looked down at the sword in her hands. It had a beauty to it. It’s long, silver blade gleamed in the moonlight. Just like the Princess, this sword is beautiful on the outside, yet its purpose is one of destruction. I will not allow her to harm my child.
Luana tightened her grip on the sword. “If there is no other way.”
“There isn’t, my love,” Baylin said, his brow furrowed in an apologetic expression.
“Isn’t there?” asked a voice from the dark.
Baylin spun, pulling his sword and tucking Luana in tight behind him. “Who goes there?”
Luana held her sword securely in her hands, turning the knuckles a pearly shade of white in the moonlight. “Baylin… what do… what do we do?” Her voice wavered as she trembled, waiting for an attack to occur.
“You need not fear me,” the voice stated, coming from the darkness of the forest. “I am here to aid Grasmere, son of Ashmur and daughter of the moon.”
“Daughter of the moon?” Baylin repeated softly. “What do you speak of? Show yourself!”
The Elven King Rydel emerged from the trees like an apparition in the moonlight. Luana sucked in a deep breath and gripped the hilt of the sword firmly.
In the moonlight his hair seemed to glow, sweeping around his handsome, angular face like sheets of snow. His deep set eyes glowed a pale shade of blue, like twin orbs floating in the night. He wore a pale green long tunic coat that appeared to shimmer in the night, billowing behind him in the wind as he walked gracefully toward them.
“Lord Rydel,” Baylin said, bowing his head. “To what do we owe this honor?”
“King Rydel?” Luana whispered through a wavered breath. “He… but he is…”
The elf glided up to the couple, placed his hand over his heart and dipped his head elegantly. “I have come to assist you, Luana, daughter of the moon.”
Her heart began to race in her chest. “Daughter of the moon? I… I don’t understand all this.”
The Elf-King looked up into her green eyes. “Has no one told you of your heritage my child?”
Baylin stiffened, putting an arm in front of Luana. “What do you speak of? She is of Open Shaw, daughter of Hal-john and Fersa. That is her heritage.”
“Is it now?” Rydel raised an eyebrow and showed the slightest upturn to the corner of his mouth. “I suppose that is what you would remember, child. But has no one told you of how you came to be in Open Shaw?”
Luana pushed past Baylin to approach the elf. “I was born of my mother Fersa; that is how I came to be in Open Shaw. She married my father Hal-John and they had me.”
“Yes, child, they are who raised you,” King Rydel’s eyes softened. “However, they are not who gave you life.”
Luana’s forehead wrinkled up as she furrowed her brow, turning to look at Baylin in confusion.
The Prince reached out and pulled Luana into his arms. “What is it that you speaking of? Do you not see you are upsetting her?”
“My apologies,” the Elf-King said, bowing his head slightly. “I do not mean to upset the girl. I merely desire to enlighten her. She has been kept in the dark for far too long. It is my wish to show her the light.”
“Then please, my Lord, explain,” Baylin pleaded.
“Luana, dear child. Do you ever see things that have not yet come to pass?” the King asked. “Touch someone and see what could be their future?”
Luana’s pulse raced in her chest. She thought of the scene she saw when she had touched Isla in her bed chamber. “I did… I have…” She looked up into Baylin’s eyes. “When Isla was preparing to return to Grasmere. She came to the chamber. She mocked me and went to slap me but I caught her arm. When I did, I saw something. Like being in a dream. I saw Isla with flames behind her as a forest burned. Then I saw a hooded figure chanting over a tattered old book. I saw a quick glimpse of your mother in mourning clothes. Lastly, I saw Lord Cadman holding a crying baby… our baby.”
Baylin sucked in a breath, hugging Luana in his arms. He turned his gaze to the elf. “What is this?”
“It is her birth right,” Rydel explained. “She has the ability of foresight. These gifts can, at times, feel as though they are more of a curse than a blessing. Especially when you do not have the knowledge to interpret them. However, I will help you with this my dear Luana.”
“I still don’t understand,” Baylin said, wrinkling his forehead. “How can something like this be? You speak of powers and gifts. She was raised in Open Shaw. Her family has lived in Grasmere for generations.”
Still clinging to Baylin, Luana looked up at Rydel wearily. “You called me ‘daughter of the moon’ earlier.”
The Elf-King took in a deep breath, as though he were anxious. “Yes, my child.”
“Why?” she questioned.
“Because that is what you are, Luana,” the Elven King said, his expression soft and thoughtful. “You are a daughter of the moon. You are my niece.”