Myrna Caldwythe, Jereme's wife, was visited in a dream by the Goddess Elliana's gleaming visage. "Myrna, your faithfulness has pleased me, and I have come in answer to your prayers. Thou shalt give birth to a girl child. She will be a gift to your family and Aederan." This news was of no small import and joy-filled both their hearts. Both looked forward to the new addition to their family and prepared for their future child's arrival.
Nine months later, Myrna gave birth to a baby girl with beautiful blue eyes. Their child was named Brenna, which means Little Light. Elliana could not have chosen better parents. For true love bound their family together, which made each strong of body and mind.
Brenna's mother, Myrna, had been born blind, but she could perceive in ways that others could not. Elliana favored her and had given her Clear Sight. She could often glimpse the future. Many were those who came to their humble home seeking what she would tell them for a few silver coins.
Jereme, Brenna's father, possessed exceptional knowledge about natural healing with herbs. If not addressing one afflicted by illness, he usually gathered herbs for various elixirs and salves. He treated forest folk, who paid in copper coins, poultry, or vegetables picked fresh from their gardens. Between what Brenna's parents earned as a seer and healer, the Caldwythe family made a modest living. What mattered most to them was love, caring, and life's simple pleasures filled their home and their lives.
The pitter-patter of a child's little feet ran around and around inside their tiny home. Whether playing with her cloth doll or hiding behind her hands while playing peek-a-boo, the young child's energy never seemed to wane. Deep within the wood, amongst towering trees and swift-flowing cold streams, Brenna grew strong and healthy. Her friends flew, climbed trees, and scampered across the leaf-covered ground.
Brenna Caldwythe, now nine years old, waded quietly through the shallow water, which flowed slow and precise. Her father was lying next to her mother on a green blanket. His worn brown leather belt held up Jereme's tan leggings, and each pant leg was rolled up to his knee. He was wearing no top to cover his sun-tanned back. His hair was primarily gray mixed with dark brown, and it hung limply in the muggy air.
Movement caught Brenna's eye. She turned her head to grin at her mother, who was wearing a simple pale-yellow shift. She was barefooted, with graying brown hair tied back in a ponytail. Her gift allowed Myrna to sense what her daughter was doing, which was creating mischief. The little girl raised a finger to her lips, and her mother nodded.
Brenna crouched down with cupped hands. Shrieking with laughter, she splashed water on her resting father, causing him to rise quickly. "Ayaaaah. Now, you're going to get it."
Her father started making his bear sounds and slowly rose to give chase. Swinging his arms about, Jereme now hunted for her. She ran while smiling widely, for this was her most favorite game. Squealing with delight, Brenna scrambled behind a large tree, crouched down in tall grass, and excitedly looked around her.
As Brenna turned her head, the air shimmered at the water's edge. Standing before her stood a pretty lady with long brown hair and softly glowing blue eyes. Her clothing was green like leaves and gray like bark. She held a delicate woven green bracken circle, covered with tiny white flowers in her hands. The child did not recognize the stranger, yet being near her made her smile. Her father's bear sounds were getting closer, yet she no longer wanted to play. The little girl faced the woman and listened to the leaves rustling in the wind. She heard vague whispers.
"Yes-you can sense the whispers, can't you? Already, you are a gifted and clever child. This crown is for you, Brenna," the woman spoke kindly within Brenna's mind. "For the sacred flowers of Tae Layneata are as precious and pure as your heart is. The Elder Powers of Aederan give this freely, for we love you."
The woman gently placed the flowery crown atop Brenna's head and lightly drew a finger across her brow. Within her body and mind, she felt a faint glow and heard a gentle melody. The light and song must have unlocked something within her mind. For her eyes and ears now saw and caught what they had not, before.
Growling bear noises became louder as her father appeared, ready to pounce upon his poor helpless victim. Abruptly, Jereme swept her into his arms protectively. Brenna squirmed-he was holding her too tightly.
"Where did you get your beautiful crown, Brenna?" Her father asked while looking around them.
"A pretty woman gave it to me." Brenna smiled and pointed. But when she looked back where she had stood, she was gone.
Brenna's father immediately walked to her mother's side and set her down. There she stood while her mother and father talked for a few minutes before they left. She looked for her new friend, but she had vanished.
Years passed by; Brenna was now fourteen and was exploring the forest on a bright sunny morning. She discovered a large silver wolf lying quietly within a giant hollow log. The youth attempted to approach closer and was met with bared teeth and a menacing growl, so she slowly backed away and went home.
Early the following morning found Brenna quietly approaching, hoping the animal remained. The wolf attempted to stand, then with a pitiful whine; it collapsed in a heap. Silently it lay there with head resting on a paw, staring in her direction.
Before daybreak, after a lengthy discussion with her parents, Brenna chose to give the suffering creature food and water. The wolf was injured; if it could not stand, it would only be a short while before it weakened and died. In the fresh morning air, the youth slowly approached the hollow log and set down a bowl a short distance away filled with stew. She also filled another container with water from a stoppered jug and left as quietly as she arrived.
Brenna anxiously made her way to the hollow log early in the morning. She needed to find out if the wolf had eaten or drank anything. Two empty bowls served to fill her with joy. She knew for a while at least; her gesture crossed the boundary between man and beast.
Every morning and evening, Brenna brought more food and water. Slowly, the silver wolf grew stronger until one day it was gone. Joy and sadness filled her heart when she returned home. There was joy, knowing the creature had gone back to the forest where it belonged. There was also sadness, for as a child, it was not easy to live without other children to play within the wood.
What Brenna could never have foreseen was her simple act of selfless caring would blossom into a fantastic friendship. Early the next day, a silver ghost stepped upon the forest trail in front of her. The wolf slowly advanced a step while raising its head to gaze at her with its blue eyes. Without knowing how she sensed this magnificent creature meant her no harm.
Brenna held out her hand and stood still. At first, the wolf sniffed her hand, and next, it gently licked her fingers. When she returned home, her new friend trailed right behind. No matter how much she attempted to coax him, he refused to enter the house. Instead, he curled into a big furry ball outside. Brenna's father and mother could not tell what to make of such peculiar behavior. Gradually, they grew to accept that higher powers were at work here.
Soon, the wolf and Brenna were inseparable, for he accompanied her wherever she went. She named the silver wolf Timitz, which means Brave Spirit. Gradually over time, Timitz allowed her to come closer. A month later, he finally let her touch him. By the beginning of the following week, she was petting him. However, he would suffer no one else to contact him. The youth did not question why the wolf accompanied her; all she knew is she now had a devoted friend.
Brenna paused on a forest path as memories returned of her sixteenth birthday, six months ago. For nearly sixteen years, her family had lived in peace and thrived. Finally, her birthday had arrived. She finally had reached the age of majority and could now make most decisions for herself. During a simple, early morning celebration at home with her parents, they ate gingerbread together. As a birthday present, she received a new blue homespun-dress and shawl, which she donned. The remainder of the day had been hers to do with as she pleased. What she had wanted to do on her birthday was to explore.
The forest trail before her wound through oak trees that towered above the river's rushing waters below. Mist wafted upward from the waterfall, covering all with a blanket of glistening dampness. The rising sun was peeking over the horizon, bathing all in a soft, warm golden light.
Movement ahead materialized into Timitz's form, who had started digging into a hillside. With tail wagging excitedly, his paws continued to dig. He had whined once and resumed digging. Loose soil continued to shower behind him. His form was nearly half-hidden in a hole he had created. Above him, Nadu circled, giving soft cries. Brenna raised her right arm and whistled softly. In a blur, a small green-winged lizard had landed upon her forearm. Seconds later, he scrambled along her sleeve to perch upon her right shoulder, his favorite place.
"Timitz, come here!"
Her friend stopped digging. He looked at Brenna and the mound of earth before him. Timitz nudged something with his nose, sending it tumbling. Bits of dirt flaked off, revealing a bright blue flash that instantly drew her attention.
Reaching down with a shaking hand, she grabbed a dirt-encrusted object and brushed away clinging soil, unearthing a blue faceted stone. In awe, the young lady gazed at the gem, which was the length of the palm of her hand gleaming brightly in the sunlight. Faintly at first, a light breeze started to blow. Wind swiftly grew into a roaring vortex around her. Words of an unknown tongue filled the air, their tone light and lilting as she had found herself unable to move.
The stone had begun to glow softly. Abruptly, the glow became an intense silvery-blue blaze of light, brighter than the sun. Energy emanated outward from the crystal, enveloping Brenna's body in tongues of silvery-blue flame. Aederan rapidly receded below her, and suddenly she stopped moving.
She was a great distance from her world, watching as an immense shadow crept across its surface. Its smothering blackness continued until it consumed all light. The darkness terrified her, but the stone's power held Brenna fast, and she could utter no sound. She felt herself becoming feverish, as a profound weakness filled her entire being.
All about Brenna grew quiet and still as a vision of a beautiful woman in a white robe appeared before her. Sunlight was the color of her hair, and her blue eyes spoke of an ocean on a bright sunny day. Her eyes had stared at her intently for a few moments as if in deep contemplation.
"You are barely sixteen years old, and Aederan's fate rests upon your shoulders. As you go forth amongst gathering shadows, may your light be a beacon of hope to all who fight evil. Rest now, child." Brenna's world disappeared in a silent blinding blaze of white energy.
The sunlight was blindingly bright, forcing Brenna to shade her eyes with her right hand. It had been late afternoon. With growing awareness, she realized she was lying in tall grass. Her head rested upon her outstretched right arm, and when she moved, it had brought a moan of discomfort to her lips.
Cold dampness touched her face as Timitz had nuzzled her softly. Brenna staggered to her feet, desperately trying to make sense of what had happened. There was no sign of her visitor, who could have only been a vision of Elliana. Filled with fear, she had fled home, clutching her prize.
Brenna shook her head, bringing her back to the present. It was late evening, and Brenna and Timitz quietly walked down the trail towards home. It was strange how a simple walk in the forest had changed everything.
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