The goddess of Fate works in the world.  She blinds her prophets and sends her hands out among the people to chance the course of history.  Nortia cannot be trusted to ever tell the whole truth to any of her servants.  They are pawns in her hands and slaves to her whims.

Kahlil Vamu Shaa, The Life of Adir Radd

They followed a well-worn path that snaked along side the river Gihon under the trees and into the heart of Tai-wer.  Creatures rustled through the undergrowth just out of the range of their lamps.

“Do you mind explaining what that was all about back at the gate?”  Ianus said to Valeryn, who looked just as confused.

“The Raewyn have a long standing covenant with the A’nath-ari.  As part of the covenant, we can come and go as we please.  You, I’m afraid, will have more trouble.”

“Who exactly is this Hlachar Cythraul?”

“He was once the greatest of us.  He stood before the throne as a sort of viceroy.  Not satisfied with a position at the top of the Empyrean hierarchy, he led a rebellion so long ago.  It is hard to remember.  When he failed to topple the throne he fled to Adrakaya.  It was here his plans changed forever.  Finding refuge in Usekht Maati, he studied the Enmadra ways, and befriended one of their young disciples.  He tempted Dov Lavan to join his cause.  He figured, if he couldn’t rule the Empyrean, he would at least rule the Enmadra.  He failed at that too, as you well know.  What I don’t understand is how he could have survived for so long away from the Empyrean.”  Valeryn’s eyes darted around.

“Why?”  Ianus had been taught that the Raewyn were immortal.  “I don’t understand.  Why couldn’t he survive away from his people?”  Ianus asked as he ducked under a low branch.

“We don’t usually talk about it, but the Raewyn share a sort of common life.  You know that we are not flesh and blood like you are.  Well, if we don’t share our energy regularly, we sort of stagnate and die.”

“If that’s true, how could he still be alive?”

“He could be stealing the life of other Raewyn.  I can’t believe that he could do something like that.  It is a crime worse than murder.  If the energy taken isn’t replaced, the victim will become feeble, and die a slow, painful death.  He may be a traitor, but I can’t believe anyone would do that.”

“Why would you give him the benefit of the doubt?”  Ianus was shocked, “After all that he did, he sounds just like the kind of person who would do that.”

“The screaming,” Valeryn said with a sad look on his face.

“What screaming?”

“When someone does...” Valeryn could not say the word, “when someone does that, the sound of the victims screams will never leave their ears.  Cythraul is a monster, but even he would know the consequences of his actions.”

Ianus wasn’t entirely satisfied by the answer, but he didn’t want to offend the only person he had with him who actually remembered traveling through Tai-wer.  “So what have you been doing for Master Theron?”  He asked.

“To be honest, he wanted me to spy on the A’nath-ari.  I can’t violate the covenant, so I’ve been going to a campsite I prepared up ahead.  After a few days, I would just leave and tell him I couldn’t find anything.”

“You have been lying to the Camarilla?”  Barami exclaimed.

“No worse than you have.”  Valeryn gave Barami a sly grin.  “I know what you’re up to.”

“I assure you I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Barami said, swatting away the small flies that were following him.

“Ihy Khem is dead is he?”  Valeryn chuckled, “Then who is that?  It isn’t wise to cast stones, they have a way of coming back at you!”

Ianus slowed down and let them pass.  The last thing he wanted was to get caught in the middle of a political debate.  He started walking again when Arun passed him.

“Hello Ianus,” Arun smiled, “I bet you are excited you’re finally here.”

“A little.  Do you remember ever being in Tai-wer?”

Arun looked down at the path, “I remember a temple full of light...  but I’m not sure it was here.  I’m sorry.”

“Is it getting any easier?”

“I am growing more accustom to it,” Arun’s smile faded.  “I have had some strange urges lately.  Nothing I can’t handle.”

“What kind of strange urges?”

“Nothing I could put into words.  There is a hunger deep down that I’ve never felt before.  A craving that I’ve never known before.  It’s manageable.”

Ianus felt a chill run down his spine, “Is there anything I can do to help you?”

“Not that I know.  I don’t think there is anything that can be done except fighting it off.  Knowing that you care about what happens to me helps.”

They continued their walk.  A couple of times, Ianus was sure he heard someone following them.  He kept looking, but he didn’t see anyone.

Night birds screeched, and wolves howled.  The insects chirped.  It somehow flowed together into a wild melody.

Ianus’ vision kept weaving in and out.  His gifts were aroused by something but the vision would not come.  The fog obscured the path, and then receded.  Nothing clear, there were no discernable forms.  Nothing but phantoms and shadows.  *Maybe it is all of the stories I’ve heard about this place,* he thought.

“We’re watching you,” the wind whispered in his ear.

They arrived at the campsite just before dawn.  The wood was already stacked for the fire.  Daru was tired and sat down on a log away from the rest of them.

Valeryn lit the fire, “This is where I come and wait before I go back to report to the Camarilla.  We should spend the day here, and travel at night.  It will be easier to avoid any patrols.”

There was a silent consensus.

Daru sat quietly as the group split up for the night.

Ianus walked over and sat down next to her, “You’ve been awfully quiet today.  Anything bothering you?”

“Not really, I have been wondering why the guardians bowed to me.”

“I’ve learned to expect people to behave odd.  I mean, normal people aren’t often drawn into the whole conspiracy and secret society thing, are they?”

“I resent that!  I’m a very normal person.”

Ianus laughed, “You’re sitting by a campfire within the borders of the Forbidden Lands, where people routinely disappear, and you are wondering why someone bowed to you.  Do you consider that normal?”

“It is for me.  Both of my parents were makers, we used to do similar things for family vacations.  Some of my happiest memories involve dodging ancient traps in ancient ruins all over Adrakaya.  Yeah, for me this is pretty normal.”

“And I thought I had a bizarre childhood.  That’s better.  I’m glad to see you smile.  The world is gloomy without your smile.”

“You’re not very good at this are you?”

Ianus blushed, “No, but at least I try.  May I point out it takes more courage to embarrass yourself than to run off into battle.  Fighting is easy compared to eloquence under pressure.”

Daru laid her head on Ianus’ shoulder, “I don’t know about all that, but the effort is welcomed.  Have you figured out how we are going to find Usekht Maati?”

“No, I was hoping to see some landmark that I would recognize from the stories.  So far, there’s only the river.”

“We’ll find something.”

“I hope so.  I don’t want all of this to be for nothing.”

“What do you think is waiting for you there?”

“Independence!  Have you ever felt used?  Like every action in your life has been dictated by someone else?  What would you do if you thought you found a way to take your life back?”

“I guess I would take it.  I saw you talking to Arun earlier.  How is everything with him?”

“We need to watch him very carefully.  He is doing all right for now, but he might slip.”

“Where do you think Tara is?”

“I don’t know, she could be anywhere, I just hope she’s working her problems out.”

“You have an awful lot of compassion for her, why?’

“She reminds me of me.  I can’t help it.  She is as lost as I am.  In a way, I know what she is going through.”

Daru looked up at the stars through the tree branches.  Her eyes were heavy.  She drifted off to sleep.

She found herself standing on a terrace over looking a vast forest.  It reminded her of Kur-gal.  War ships broke through the atmosphere.  The sunset.

The light of burning cities glimmered all across the countryside.

“Help us!”  A voice called out, “Please Daru, help us!”

“How can I help you?”

Fire flashed in front of her.  The sound of a terrified crowd deafened her.

“Stop this!”  Said an unseen man.

“How?”  Came a female voice that Daru recognized as her own.

Several Ubasti men were running down a dusty street.  They were bandaged, and obviously terrified.

A cackling laugh boomed in her ears and was suddenly silenced.

“Does she understand?”

“No, she seems to be confused.”

“To her this is just a dream.”

“She does not know.”

“She never did.”

“What should we do with her?”

“Perhaps we should let her sleep.”

“But she is the one.”

“No, she could have been, but that was before.”

“I understand, but her future is uncertain.  She could still be.”

“I doubt that very much.”

“I can see it is possible, but the pain could blind her to the path.  We will have to wait and see.”

Faroh sat on the ground and stared at the horizon.  The fire of the morning sun burned the sky, but the sun had not yet risen.  His mind was troubled.  For the first time, he believed that Cythraul was who he said he was.  Why would a being of such power need him?  Why couldn’t he just take what he wanted?

He saw himself as a pawn, but he couldn’t see the game.  All of this was too good to be true.  There had to be a price for this:  A great price, perhaps one too high to pay.  Faroh was no one’s servant, and he would never be a slave.  Never again!  He had not escaped the slavers only to throw himself into bondage.

“Leave then!”  Cythraul said.  He stood behind Faroh.  His anger warmed Faroh’s back.

“I don’t know why you would say that!”

“Yes you do!  You think I want to enslave you!  I don’t!  You can come with me if you want to, you can leave if you want.  I do not own you.”

“Then why are you doing this?  Why do you need me?”

“Because I am tired of being alone!”  Cythraul walked away.

Faroh stood up, and joined him.

“You are right,” Cythraul said mournfully, “I could do it all myself.  I have the power to take whatever I want.  I could show the entire galaxy the truth, but the Empyrean would come against me.  If you know anything of my power, it is nothing compared to a thousand equals.  Do you see?  I cannot act, but you can.  If you act, the Empyrean cannot.  Do you understand?”

“I think so.  Who or what is the Empyrean?”

“The throne and powers of the Raewyn.”

Faroh took a couple steps away.  He dragged his foot in a line back and forth across the dusty ground.  “So why me?  Why did you choose me?”

“Because you are a man after my own heart.  I can see myself in you.  You are just the kind of person I can see myself sharing power with.”

“And what happens if I ever stop being useful to you?”

Cythraul grinned and fought back a chuckle, “You really don’t get it, do you?  Do you know why Dov Lavan was seen as such a threat?”

“Because he taught the truth, and messengers of the Holy One have always been persecuted.”

“No.  He was hated for his doctrine, but he was a threat because of his periapt.  You know that Raewyn are the most powerful makers.  The periapt I gave him made him even more powerful then they are.  That is what I am offering you.  Once you master it, your power will equal my own.  There will be no one who can stand in your way, not even me.”

“And should I decide to turn on you?”

“You won’t.  Besides, I said you would be equal, not greater.  I’m not a fool.  Does that ease your mind.”

“For now.”

“That is what I love about you.  You don’t trust anyone.”

*I trust the Holy One, and the words revealed by Dov Lavan,* Faroh thought, managing a polite smile.

“Words that I gave him.  Teachings that I inspired.”

“Why won’t you give me any privacy?”

“Your voice is part of the song.  I hear the song as you do.  I hear your voice in the song.  One day, your voice will be the song.”

“My voice?  The song is the voice of the Holy One.”

“And all those who are devoted to him.  That is why the Bahn Se’leen and the A’nath-ari fear the words.  They do not want to be reminded of their wickedness.”

“I know my sins.   I know I can never please the Holy One.  Only obedience and faith are acceptable to the Most High.  They prefer freedom to obedience.  They have perverted the way, and damn many with their poison.  I am faithful.  Letter for letter, word for word, I know and I obey!”

Faroh closed his eyes and began to recite the Litany of the Machine, “All glory and honor is due to the One, who subjects all to its will.”

“Good, good,” Cythraul waved his hand, “Let me teach you the litany I gave to Dov Lavan.  I will ascend, I will arise.  I will be like unto the Most High.”

“I don’t understand why you would want me to say such a thing.”

“You know the code, and the litany.  ‘We are the way, the hand of the One.  We are the truth, the hand of the One.  We are the life, the hand of the One.  May all be subdued under the One, for we are faithful and will persevere.’  I will teach you to judge righteously, so all might be subject to the One.”

“I will ascend.”  Faroh said cautiously.  “I will arise.  I will be like unto the Most High.”

Tara couldn’t sleep.  She tossed and turned all night.  The warm rays of the morning sun broke over the horizon and caressed her cheek.  She sighed.  Sitting up in bed, she looked out the window.

The green grass shimmered in the sun as a breeze rolled down the hill.  It was so beautiful, calming.  She missed nature.  The stars were beautiful, but they were not comforting.  She had never felt at home in space.  She needed trees, grass, and flowers to feel at home.

After getting dressed, she went downstairs.  She had lost her appetite, so she walked past the dining hall and went out to the countryside.  

Falling onto her back, Tara inhaled deeply.  The sweet smell of the grass lifted her heart.  This was home.

“I love the hills too,” said Kanu.

Tara sat up quickly, “What did you say?”

“This is my favorite place too.  I can see it on your face.  You look so much better than you did when you checked in.”

“It’s quiet here.  I need the silence right now.”

Kanu sat down next to her.  “We all need silence, but we don’t have to change our location to find it.  Unless you learn that, your problems will return when you go back to your ship.”

“I know,” Tara looked off to the mountains, “I just haven’t been able to meditate lately.  The anxiety will not leave me alone.  When I close my eyes, I see such horrible things.”

Kanu paused.  He lay back on the grass.  “I know what you are talking about.  I’ve had that problem before.  The darkness can be overwhelming, but it cannot overcome you.  You just have to fight.  It won’t be easy.  Just don’t give up.”

“How can you fight your own mind?”

“Fight fire with fire.  When the darkness comes, shine the light into it.  Struggle to see what is really there.  In the end, that is all we can really do.”

“Why?  What good does it do to fight off the night, when it will only return stronger than it was before?  It is futile to struggle.”

Kanu sighed, “I know.  The lies are strong, but after all they are just lies.  We have to see through them.”

“Why?  It’s pointless.  Life is meaningless.  We are born only to die.  Why shouldn’t I just stop thinking and do whatever I want to do?  It doesn’t matter anyway.”

“It does matter!  Life itself may be without meaning, but that doesn’t mean you have to give in to it.  You want meaning.  You crave it.  I can see it in your eyes.  Seek out some purpose for your life and hold on to it.”

“I know,” Tara sighed, “Pretend I’m good at something, and do that.”

“You don’t have to pretend.  You were born with something in your heart.  Something you love more than anything else that is what your talent is.  Find that.  Hold on to it.  Your talents are your destiny.  They will show you the way.”

Tara pulled her knees into her chest, and wrapped her arms around them.  “I’m not good at anything.  I keep trying and failing.”

“Are you doing what you want to do or what others want you to do?  No one can show you the way you must walk.  You have to find it for yourself.”

“I’ve never done anything I wanted to do,” Tara muttered, “Except come here.  I don’t even know what I want to do anymore.”

“You have taken the first step— you’re here.  Now take your time to find out what you want for your life.  It probably will not come to you all at once, but you will start to see the path.”

“So I will find the path that is right for me?”

“No.  You will see the way you must go.  It is up to you to cut the path out for yourself.”

When Ianus woke up, a thick fog covered the ground, and the last embers of daylight broke through the trees.  The rest of the party was already awake.  They had packed up most of the camp, and were planning their journey for tonight.

Daru looked nervous, she kept glancing into the forest and biting her lip.

Ianus walked over to her, “Are you feeling all right?”

“I had really strange dreams last night,” she avoided Ianus’ eyes, “I can’t help it, I feel like someone was in my head.”

“I’ve had dreams like that, and a couple of visions.  It’s a hard feeling to shake.”

“The worse part is, I feel like they’re still watching me.”

“Really?’  Ianus thought for a moment.  “Tuun!  Could you come here for a minute.”

Tuun’s Ceeri flexed its wings as he turned around.  Walking over, he looked Ianus in the eye.

“Could you please scan the area to see if anyone is out there?”

Tuun covered his eyes with his hands.  An icy wind rushed from behind him, blowing away the mist.  He staggered backwards and dropped his arms to his side.  A stream of blood trickled from his left eye.  He opened his mouth, but instead of his voice, a polyphonic chorus said, “You have trespassed where you should not be!  Your time of testing has come.  Stand your ground, unless you have something to fear.  We see only truth, lies will be punished severely.”

A short man, with long gray hair and brown robes stepped out of the forest, “I am Haven.  Stand firm on the solid ground and you will be approved.”

Beside him came a woman with short brown hair and blue robes.  “I am Quinn,” she said softly, “Navigate the tides of justice and compassion, and you will have my support.”

Next, a tall woman in white robes and hair, scowled at Ianus, “I am Greer, the winds of change are at my back, and you stand in their way.”

Finally, a battle scarred man with red hair, and blood red robes stepped into the light of the campfire.  He wore a harsh expression on his face.  His left eye was missing, “I am Cathal, the flame of truth.”

Ianus looked over a Daru.  He could tell from the expression on her face she recognized their voices too.  They had haunted his visions, and apparently her dream.

Valeryn rushed over to them and bowed.  “Hail, most holy Eyes of Fate.  I extend the hand of friendship on behalf of the Raewyn Empyrean to you, o most august Vaticinars.”

“The Raewyn are suspect,” said Cathal.

“As are their motives,” said Greer.

“We know your heart, Valeryn,” said Quinn, “Do not fear, we have nothing against you.”

“Or the rest of your band,” said Haven, “It is this Akeru we must test.”

“I must protest,” said Valeryn, “He has done nothing to warrant your scrutiny.”

Cathal shook his head, “He presumes to be special.”

“He only remembers our words from his birth,” said Haven.

“But he does not know why he is here,” said Greer, “If he does not understand, we may have been wrong.”

“Our error, if we made one, cannot be counted to him as sin,” said Quinn, “Valeryn is right.  Ignorance is not a crime.”

Cathal thrust his hand toward Ianus, and lightning flew from his fingers.

Ianus clenched his teeth and reeled back in pain.

“I would resist the urge to draw a weapon,” said Haven.

“Cathal cannot resist a challenge,” said Quinn.

Greer laughed, “But if you want to die quickly, the choice is yours.”

“It is all the same to me,” Cathal smiled.

Ianus relaxed, “What do you want from me?  Tell me.  How can I pass your test if I don’t know what it is?”

“I am sorry,” said Haven.

Quinn bowed her head, “I wish there was another way.”

Greer stepped closer to Cathal, and took him by the hand.  “The only way we can be sure, is to test your mind and spirit,” they said in unison, “Courage and wisdom are your only allies— Pain and fear, your worse enemy.  Should you not survive our test, you will not survive what is to come.”

Pain struck him like an axe through the back of his skull, and Ianus fell to his knees.  He could taste blood in his mouth.  Agony racked his body.  He fought the urge to scream.  Darkness stole his sight.  He could no longer feel his body.

“No!”  Daru screamed, and ran to catch Ianus’ limp body before he hit the ground.  He was barely breathing.  “What are you doing?  He did absolutely nothing to deserve this!”

“We are sorry,” said Quinn.

“He chose the path that was born for him,” said Haven.

“But you have not yet chosen,” Greer sneered, “You are blind to your fate.”

Cathal stomped his foot, “Maybe she pretends not to see.  Perhaps we should test her as well?”

“What?”  Daru stammered, “Do you want to kill me too?  Just do it!  I don’t want to live without him.”

“We can not test her!”  Haven said.

“Her fate is not certain,” said Quinn, “Decisions have yet to be made.”

Greer nodded, “The motion has started, but the path can still be avoided.  We can not judge until the fate is unavoidable.”

Cathal made a fist, “But we may not get another chance.”

Ianus howled with pain.

“Explain yourself!”  Tuun came to his senses and formed a sword, “We cannot allow you to show up, and attack one of our own without a challenge.”

“A challenge?” Cathal smiled.  “This from the man who can no longer see.  You have blinded yourself, you foolish man don’t blame us if you can not see.”

“Cathal!”  Greer jumped in front of him, “We cannot test him.”

“Poor Tuun,” said Quinn, “We mean no disrespect.  We cannot tell you what we see.  That is the Law.”

“We are the Vaticinars.  The Seven Eyes of Fate.”  Haven said, “We test those who are placed before us.  There is nothing personal.  This was not an attack.  We must be sure this Akeru is the one needed for the time to come.”

“Says who?”  Aashen joined his brother’s side.  “Who or what gives you the right to judge?”

“We do not judge,” said Haven.

“His fate is not in our hands,” said Quinn.

“We present the test.  Nortia send us where we should go,” said Greer.

“He will judge himself,” said Cathal, “This is between him and his destiny.  Everyone has a destiny, but some presume they are greater than they are.  These are the ones we challenge.  It is better for all that the wrong people do not stand in the way.”

“But how can you say who the right people are?”  Tuun asked, “What if he is the right person, but he is not ready yet?  If he dies before his time, you have damaged the future.”

“We have considered this,” said Haven, “But we must all serve our purpose and do what is in us to do.”

“We do not act blindly.”  Cathal said, “We weigh the risk against the benefit for everyone.  We do not act unless the risk is minimal.”

“He could have avoided our test,” said Greer, “But he did not stay on Kur-gal.”

“In a way, he chose this,” said Quinn, “He knew the dangers before he came, and yet he is here.  Did he not choose to risk dying in Tai-wer, rather than be safe on your ship?”

Daru held Ianus tight.  His skin was growing cold; his breath was very shallow.

“Nothing gives you the right to do this,” Daru said laying Ianus down gently on the ground, “Life is sacred.  All life is sacred.  To risk the murder of an innocent man just to satisfy your own perverted sense of curiosity is a blasphemous action, and I can not allow it!”

“What if the other person is your enemy?”  Haven asked.

“Are you saying Ianus is your enemy?”  Daru asked and formed a halberd with her periapt.

“No!”  Quinn said, “He is not our enemy.  We were simply asking is the life of your enemy sacred?”

“Yes!”  Daru pronounced and began walking toward them.  “All life is sacred, regardless of who possesses it.”

“So you would always spare your enemies life?”  Greer asked, “No matter who they are?”

“If they yield, it is dishonorable to slay them,” Daru raised her halberd.

“You must always spare them,” Cathal asked, “In every circumstance?”

“Life must be served!”  Daru said, “Some tyrants cannot be allowed to keep what they take from others.  The life of every one involved must be preserved as best as possible.”

The Vaticinars smiled, and vanished.

Ianus screamed.  Daru dissolved her halberd, and ran over to him.  Tears streamed from her eyes.  She picked Ianus’ limp body up, and laid him across her chest, “Don’t worry.  We’ll get through this somehow.  Just breathe, it will all be fine.”