Chapter 66 - Gathering of Wings

A slow smile grew on goddess Aisling’s face as she turned from the sight in the centre of the clearing and leaned back against a tree. For a moment she watched the warm light stealing through the immediate area. She closed her strange eyes, her mind unravelling the path of destiny, picking at the strands and viewing their outcomes. Within seconds she nodded to herself, her smile growing broader.

“You never fail to amaze us, child.” she said quietly.

Aisling turned and looked at the sight of Winter invoking her name again, the ground quivering and the leaves rustling up above in the canopy of the forest as a burning light formed between the three. To the goddess’s sight they seemed to be radiating golden hues

“The path of destiny we foresaw has been delayed, but corrected.” she smiled, continuing to watch the display.

She looked up to the night sky, “In fact, the outcome is even more favourable. The children of fire and ice will prove powerful allies, they alone will reunite that which was broken.”

Faint white and silver streaks started to form in the night, streaks of light that moved with incredible speed over the mountains. Aisling watched in fascination as what seemed like a meteor shower was taking place in the heavens, she laughed quietly and looked back to Winter as she knelt, being embraced by Sian.

“They are coming, all those we recovered. We knew we would never be their true masters.” she turned, her all-seeing eyes following the fast approaching streaks of light.

“She will return to the Hall and recover those we couldn’t, her command will be restored. They will prove their worth on the mountain, they will fight for her and us, they will bleed and they will be victorious.”

Her eyes followed the closest trail of light, a sharp whistling of air over wings at speed as the Valkyrie dove out of the sky, shearing through the canopy of the forest. A dull thud reached Aisling’s ears as the warrior touched down nearby. In the distance, more sharp whistles could be heard approaching, the sounds of branches snapping and earth being hammered as more arrived. Aisling smiled as she watched Summer, the handmaiden of Lumos walk past in full battle regalia. A sword at her hip, a large shield on her arm and a spear in hand. Her bright hair streaming behind her and her wings tucked as she moved with purpose. Seeing Aisling, Summer tilted her head in respect, but did not speak or slow when she passed.

Aisling swept her gaze across the forest as even more of the order arrived, bright lights among the trees. Stalking through the forest until they ringed the clearing ahead. Their matching armour shining brightly as they knelt on one knee, their shields at their sides, the butts of their spears driven into the earth and held upright as they bowed their heads in silent respect.

As the last few arrived, Aisling watched as Winter stood, flanked by Antrandis and Sian. Her steel and copper eyes flaring to life as she stood before her warriors. Summer walked forward and started to sing, her voice cutting through the blanketed night, making the goddess’s hair stand on end. Aisling did not recognise the language, but watched attentively as the others joined Summer’s lone voice.

Aisling tilted her head, picked out a voice not of the Valkyries. She immediately recognised it, despite the distance. Changing her vantage, she peered through the trees, catching sight of Silias approaching though the trees, running silently, keeping herself partially obscured. Aisling moved to head her off. Her body shimmered, becoming insubstantial as she instantaneously appeared ahead of Silias.

“By the will of Lumos!” said Silias in shock, quickly pulling up short as Aisling appeared before her, her finger to her lips.

“Quiet, attendant to Sian of then and now. Quiet.” said Aisling at a whisper, as Silias quickly bowed.

“Do not bow before me, come, bear witness.” she gestured for Silias to follow excitedly, guiding her through the trees, stopping in place at her original vantage and pointing.

“They are, they are all Valkyries.” Silias said quietly.

Aisling glanced at her with sparkling eyes, “We feel it is fitting that you see this, Winter is now whole. Her command has been restored.”

“Her command?” asked Silias.

“Watch, her warriors have come. An event like no other is taking place. We are truly humbled to be able to set eyes upon this gathering of the old world.” said Aisling, “Watch Silias.”

Aisling placed a hand on Silias’s shoulder, the wilderelf with eyes wide as she listened to the joined voices of the Valkyrie warriors. A slight tremor ran through the forest as their song drew to a close. She watched as Winter stepped forward and took Summer’s hand, smiling. There seemed to be a silent exchange, then Summer turned and looked directly at Silias.

She felt Aisling’s voice in her ear, “Go Silias, the General requests your presence.” and then a gentle direction of the goddess’s hand on her back.

Silias met Aisling’s eyes as the goddess smiled at her, “As attendants to Sian, we feel that both you and your sister are about to receive honours like no other. I will even expedite the process.”

Silias looked at the host of Valkyries, “Pele? But she is not here. How can…” said Silias at a loss, looking back to Aisling to find that the goddess was gone.

She turned to see that a gap had formed in their numbers and that Summer had started to walk toward her. In the clearing, Antrandis gesturing for her to come. She met with Summer as the Valkyrie came to her, her stance proud.

“Summer?”

“Greetings Silias, warrior of the line of Haarlstarn, Champion and Attendant of the house of Darkfall, my Commander and Consort to Antrandis and Sian wishes for your and your sister’s attendance.”

Silias looked at Summer in slight confusion, “Pele is not here, she is still… Consort? Winter?”

Summer smiled, “She will be momentarily.” she said in a factual manner, looking past Silias and smiling.

She followed the valkyrie’s gaze to see Aisling walking toward them with Peletrinala at her side. Her younger sister seemed dishevelled and bewildered from the sudden change of location. Peletrinala’s mismatched eyes were on her, with an expression of relief on her face.

“Silias, the goddess, she, I was, here.” she said as her eyes focused on Summer and the gathering behind, “Gods, is that?” Peletrinala said, falling speechless.

Summer bowed her head to Aisling, “Thank you. Both Antrandis and Sian request your presence within the circle, Lady Darneltar.”

Aisling nodded and smiled, she patted Silias on the shoulder as she passed.

Summer turned her attention back to the sisters, “Greetings Peletrinala, warrior of the line of Haarlstarn, Champion and Attendant of the house of Darkfall, my Commander and Consort to Antrandis and Sian wishes for you and your sister’s attendance.”

Peletrinala stood beside her sister, a level of confusion on her face, “Consort to? Sister, what is happening here? I was reading the library and then the Goddess Aisling. And, I… Consort? Who? Are we in a forest?” she quietly asked of Silias as they followed Summer.

Silias glanced at her, “Pele, a lot has happened. Stay here in the moment, I will try my best to explain later.”

Peletrinala looked about, her eyes wide as they made their way past the ring of valkyrie warriors and into the clearing. Winter stood, discussing something quietly with Aisling, and both Antrandis and Sian came to meet with them as Summer moved to the side.

Antrandis nodded to Peletrinala, “I know you have questions Pele. I will explain later. Silias, the camp?” he asked.

Silias stepped forward, “I alone came, the guard have it secured for the moment with a defensive stance.”

Antrandis looked to Summer, “As you command, Master.” she said before turning and gesturing to the nearest five Valkyrie, who fell into step with her as she left, striding off and into the trees.

“Antrandis?” asked Silias as she watched them.

He smiled, “Summer will enter the camp and explain to the guard, the other five will set a perimeter until we return.”

Peletrinala looked at her sister as Silias nodded, unfazed by the lack of communication.

“Antrandis, I have never heard Summer refer to you as ‘Master’ before.” Peletrinala commented.

Silias looked at Antrandis, “They are all yours, as is Winter.”

Antrandis nodded, “At its simplest, yes. Your observation about Winter. Your assumption was correct.”

Silias smiled, “All of these valkyrie are handmaidens of the three, does that not hold true?”

Aisling joined them with Winter, “We can not claim that which is not ours to begin with. As their commander has been restored, they now belong to the one she exists for. Though all will retain their roles at the three’s sides.” she smiled at Winter in shared understanding.

Winter stood, leaning slightly against Antrandis as she watched both Pele and Silias. She reached out and took Silias’s hand.

“Silias, you could see clearly what I could not.” Winter said with a smile.

Peletrinala looked at her sister in curiosity as Silias bowed her head, “It was only an observation.”

Winter smiled as she looked at them, “I am finally whole as I am meant to be. I am no longer Winter, Handmaiden of Lumos.”

Silias smiled slightly, understanding Summer’s reference, she knelt, head bowed, gesturing for her sister to follow suit, “We would be honoured to be of service. Winter of Darkfall, Consort to our Lord Antrandis.”

Shadow of the Eclipse: Chapter Timeline

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