Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #18 September 2015 | Page 56
adventure was because she heard the shadowcats call
her. My memories are many, druid, but I seem to recall
there was a time when this was almost commonplace.
Do I remember correctly?”
The elder druid’s brows swooped up, intrigued.
He looked at Keilara, met her gaze head-on. Fearless,
she met it. “What is it like, child?”
Keilara struggled for the words. “It’s like…
back of my mind. Like hearing people talk behind me.
A song… of many voices. I want to find it.”
“Wildsong.” He breathed the word, hushed and
full of wonder. “I thought this gift was lost to us.”
Instead of experiencing his awe, Kryssania
looked stricken. “No… are you certain?”
“The teachings spoke of it. I can do something
similar but I must call upon Nahele for such a gift.
She was born with it, First.”
“Yes, and there’s a reason why it is no longer
in us,” Kryssania snapped, grief in her eyes.
The druid glanced at her, bowed his head,
acknowledging her heart’s pain. But, he said, “I
understand your pain, First. But your daughter was
gifted. She must learn how to control it or she will be
lost.”
Kryssania frowned, glanced at Keilara.
Already, she saw the wildness in her daughter. The
urge to run, to play among the beasts of the wild,
leaned against the shadowcat as if it were second
nature. And it was only hours that she was away. If
she did nothing, Keilara would vanish forever, as
have so many of those gifted with this ability. She just
never knew that joining with Alandir would create
such a gifted child.
And yet… it was Keilara, a child she
desperately wanted for so long. She had seen
thousands of years, mourned the barrenness of her
womb until she finally felt the fruit of motherhood.
If she denied Keilara, she would deny the gift that
goddess Eiless had given her. Kryssania covered her
eyes for a moment, sent a prayer up to their goddess,
and nodded to the druid.
“Then teach her. Teach her well.”
Keilara glanced between them, realizing what
was said, and brightened. “I can keep seeing them? I
can still visit the shadowcats?”
“Yes,” Kryssania said with difficulty. “And… if
you must… your bondmate can come with you.”
“My—” Realizing her mother meant
Shadowfire, joy burst in her heart. “I can?! Oh
momma!” Keilara flung her arms around her mother
and bounced in place. “Thank you!”
Kryssania smiled, though it was strained.
“Promise you will listen to the elder druid. You must
learn everything he teaches you. Do you understand?”
“Yes, momma.”
The elder druid smiled kindly to Keilara. “You
will need my name, child.”
“Oh.” Keilara blinked, realizing she never
heard his name. “What is your name?”
“I am Sevin.”
Keilara smiled shyly. “Thank you for teaching
me, Sevin.”
“Ah-ah.” He wagged a finger. “You are to
address me as Elder Sevin.”
“Oh.” Keilara fidgeted in place. “Why?”
“Because that is what I am among the Circle.”
“The what?”
Sevin took a careful, deep breath. “I can see
you will be a challenge.”
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