Coming of the Darkstar

Prologue: Message in the Night

The city of Baron was burning. Everywhere Cecil looked, pieces of the fortress lay shattered on the shadowed cobblestone. Flames danced over the faces of ancient tapestries. The stone walls dripped white embers. Ash covered the motionless bodies that lay in the corridor.

"Rosa!"

His wife's name ripped from his throat in a frothing scream. As his mouth opened, the smoke-poisoned air rushed into his lungs, plunging him to his knees. Cecil gathered his strength and dragged himself forward. His vision blurred crimson. The floors of the castle flowed in dark rivers of blood. It was boiling to the touch.

One hand slipped. Cecil felt himself sliding forward. The world jolted as he landed in a roll. A cool breeze shifted past his face, carrying the scent of burning flesh. His body reacted in a violent retch.

Then Cecil heard it.

Laughter. It was smooth... warm... golden... and so chillingly familiar.

He lifted his head to find himself crouching in one of the castle courtyards. It was strangely peaceful in the silence of the night. The scent of roses mingled with flame-licked stone. The single disc of moonlight capered on the calm surface of the fishpond.

"Cecil."

The voice held the same golden sound as the laughter had. Cecil recognized it at once.

A man was standing there, his face turned away. He peered up at the blazing pillars that were once the castle towers. His silhouette was immense. Pale green flame rose around him, arcing above his head as if to trace translucent wings of darkness. Very slowly he turned, his long white hair framing a face both familiar, yet obscure.

His eyes shown brilliant green as he cast a gaze down on Cecil. Vast wings unfurled with a darkness that veiled the midnight heavens. A haunted smile crept on his lips.

Cecil recoiled as the man flicked his wrist forward in one quick motion. A metallic sound filled his ears as something landed, shimmering golden on the stones at his knees. He lifted it between his fingers, revealing the object within pulsing firelight.

Rosa's wedding band.

A strangled gasp ripped from his throat. But, the only thing that he could hear was the sound of the golden voice.

"Welcome home, brother."

———————————-

Cecil woke with his senses reeling. His heartbeat drummed heavy in his ears as he cast his emerald eyes around. Then, he realized...

It was only a dream.

He was safe. In his bed. In his room. In Baron Castle. And Rosa was there, curled up beside him in peaceful slumber.

Rosa...

He reached over and carefully drew back silken strands of hair from her pale face. One finger lovingly traced the delicate curve of her cheek. Her slender hands were folded within each other. In the dim light, Cecil could make out the golden twinkle of her wedding band.

It was only a dream.

Cecil threw the sheets off. The cool night air clung to his prickled skin, the chill comforting him. The window was open and the early spring breeze roused him out of any remnants of sleep.

The fire... it felt so real.

Sliding carefully out of bed into a light over-robe, Cecil padded his way across the silent chamber. He paused once to glance back at his sleeping wife before he let the door close with a gentle click. The stairwell down the tower was dark, but after years of treading the stone steps, his feet could pick their own way without vision.