Chapter 4: Big Answers and Even Bigger Questions

  “You're just full of surprises aren’t you? When you say it talked to you, you were referring to the pendant?  ( perhaps she is not fully sane) Though the pendant can guide your instincts it normally does not have an individual sentience.” Ren hurriedly replied “Well when I say it talked to me I 100 percent mean the pendant! And I assure you it was a voice inside my head that was not my own or one of someone I know. So if there’s no other expnation I definitely am going with it being the pendant.”

  “It is definitely time for you to start answering my questions, Ren. Many unanswered questions and anomalies yes, yes, many, many, questions.”

  “Ok, ok here’s your why and your who. I was brought here shortly after my coming of age ceremony because it was no longer safe for me to remain where I was. My grandmother’s friend is actually my grandmother's sister Saleema. I’m not really supposed to talk about grandmother or my retives, however the voice said I should trust you and that you were good and would be helpful. I don’t want to endanger anyone else. You were correct about your assumption regarding my bloodline and having a purpose to be here. Saleema brought me here because it’s the furthest point from where I came from.”

  “What danger do you speak of?” “Well I’m not too sure but I know it’s the worst kind because mom and Saleema finally decided it was time for us to go separate ways. We’ve always had to be careful. Mother always worried when we’d go into town she’d look all around and whisper to Saleema to stay clear of any guards or nobles. We’d wear enchanted cloaks and use gmour magic to hide our true selves. Something happened a long time ago and My coming of age ceremony must have triggered something.

  The ceremony was quiet and peaceful. It was just my mother, Saleema and myself but at the conclusion of my ceremony mother and Saleema didn’t seem happy; they seemed worried and scared. They acted like nothing was wrong, smiled and congratuted me but something felt off after serving me the customary moon pie and nectar, they excused themselves and talked privately for a very long time and before I knew it Saleema and I had started our journey here.”

  “Interesting indeed. Can you recall what happened during your ceremony?” “Mother waited for the moon to be at its highest point and spoke an incantation from a tome I had never seen. Saleema pyed the cello it was a steady melody with a sad beautiful cadence I didn’t recognize the origin or arrangement, then mother begun chanting viam eius ostende mihi (show me her path)

  Saleema picked up the pace of her melody and everything faded. I can't remember anything else besides a cold embrace upon my face, a warm tingling inside my core then the cold embrace once more. When I came back the moon and sun were in transition.

  Valerian became pale, closed his eyes and begun pressing his palms together as he started reciting the moon spirit’s prayer as he prayed he thought to himself she’s a child of Lunaria it can not be it just can not be centuries have passed and not a single one of Lunarias children have been found and here before me sits the greatest treasure of all a true blessing a child of Lunaria!

  Ren became worried and uneasy at the sight of Valerian's sudden ghostly appearance “Valerian!” She shouted “Valerian! Did I say something wrong?” Coming back to his senses he grinned and apologized for worrying her. “No, not at all!” He beamed. “Are you sure?” She asked. “Yes my dear I’m very sure and we have even more to discuss now.

  “You see your coming of age ceremony is peculiar. Typically the ceremony is completed after a couple of hours at most 12 hours one half day, but yours sted a full night and day transition around 24 hours. This tome your mother was reading from "Do you recall anything else about it besides its unfamiliarity?”

  “Well I think the spine had the 8 cycles of the moon on it and mother had the book open already and I was supposed to be focusing on the sound of cello and incantations so I only got a quick gnce so I couldn’t really see much of its cover. It was kinda dark and when the moonlight shined down on it a strange glow appeared, kind of like a twinkling star. It didn’t seem odd other than it was one I hadn’t seen before. Mother and Saleema had many tomes some I was not permitted to use; perhaps it was one of those.

  “Did other tomes your mother and Saleema used also glow under the moonlight?” “Yes, is that important?” “Very much so Ren and of these tomes that also glowed were you permitted to use and read them?” “Read them yes, but only some and I was never allowed to practice them. I was only permitted to read and grow my knowledge, never my magic.”

  “Hmm. You said Saleema brought you here to avoid danger and because it was the furthest from where you were, where were you before coming to Yuezhi?” “I was in Dorium and before that Haidiah and before that Soris.”

  “We moved around a lot and usually didn’t stay in one pce too long. We would find a quiet pce with an abundance of herbs and other natural ingredients somewhere in the woods on the outskirts of major towns and cities. Sometimes we were able to settle for a couple of years, sometimes only a couple of months. Mother, Saleema and I were gifted alchemists and very talented with basic magic and incantations so we would make our earnings from it.”

  “I see, can you remember where you originally came from?” “Yes, but I must not say.” “YOU MUST NOT SAY?! Ren, you must tell me everything if we’re to sort out this situation.” “BUT VALERIAN you do not understand!” “Then make me understand child. You are safe here and nothing you tell me will leave this room. Shall we perform a binding spell in order for you to trust me? Time is of the essence and as we speak vilgers and nobles alike await some sort of expnation. I must know everything if I’m to help you get through this. The people will want answers, especially Navari’s parents and grandparents. I’ve kept them waiting and will continue to do so til I’m equipped to handle the situation and in order to do that you must help me so that I can help you!”

  Ren sighed sadly and dug deep to find the courage she would need in order for Valerian to understand the full extent of who Ren really was. Ren had many thoughts and emotions running amuck she did not know where to even start nor did she have all the answers she herself needed. Perhaps Valerian could help me if he knew everything I know. Maybe Saleema didn’t just bring me here because it’s the furthest point from Dorium. I just don’t know what the right thing to do is.

  Listen pendant if you're in there I really need your help please say something…. a low mellow voice quietly whispers “something.” “REALLY?!” excimed Ren. “Listen child I’m still not fully assimited and I’ve told you already to trust Valerian. Tell him what you know and once I’ve gathered my strength and have fully assimited we will talk again but until then please don’t call on me again.” “Well fine then, I apologize. Please rest and take pleasure in my despair.”