Shadows (story)

Lahden offered his arm to Rynn and she took it, trying not to think about how contact with him made her skin tingle. He led her to a secluded corner backstage and checked to make certain that none of the other students had followed them. Rynn couldn't tell. The only light was that which leaked back from the stage, and she could barely see. Lahden didn't seem bothered by the darkness, but perhaps that was because his father belonged to the Arcane Order of Shadows. He was probably used to the dark.

(Read all previous parts of chapter two here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html)

Mrs. Bee (story)

The teacher nodded, obviously relieved that the matter would be dealt with. It was always stressful to know that one of her students was likely to mess up in front of a live audience. Not only did mistakes make her look bad, they were mortifying for the one who made them. She was close enough to her students that she didn't want to put them through that kind of humiliation.

(Read all previous parts of chapter two here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html)

Does He Know? (story)

Before she could find one, Lahden spoke. "I think I know what the problem is," he said politely. "Would it be alright if I speak to Rynn in private for a moment?"

(Read all previous parts of chapter two here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html)

Ah, Love (story)

Rynn looked at the floor. She was only grateful that the extra color in her cheeks wasn't visible under the costume illusion she had wrapped around herself. There was no way she could speak the truth. She couldn't tell the whole class about her crush on Lahden. Her mind scrambled for an excuse.

(Read all previous parts of chapter two here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html)

Control (story)

Mrs. Bee took a deep breath, visibly gaining control of herself. "Rynn, you're one of the best actresses here. You've done wonderfully on every line but this one. What's wrong?"

(Read all previous parts of chapter two here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html)

Scolding (story)

The drama instructor strode onto the stage, obviously displeased. "Again, Rynn?" Mrs. Bee snapped. "The show goes up in a week! I've been lenient so far because you told me you would get it, but this is ridiculous. The line is easy. 'Yes, Sahv, I do.' That's all you have to say!"

(Read all previous parts of chapter two here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html)

Reality (story)

Then a voice pierced the quiet. "Cut!" it said loudly.

Lahden looked away from her, and she snapped out of her trance, coming abruptly back to reality. The scene she had set in her mind vanished, leaving behind only the flickering illusion conjured by amateurs as a background to the stage. From the shadows behind the drawn back curtains, the faces of her fellow actors peered out, all eyes on her. Some were laughing or giving her sympathetic looks, but the majority seemed as frustrated as Lahden.

(Read all previous parts of chapter two here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html)

Hypnotized by a Look (story)

Rynn felt his gaze pulling at her and unwillingly looked up into his midnight blue eyes. Immediately she was drawn in and captured by their intensity. The answer to his question vanished from her mind, swept away like a toy boat in a storm. A wave of desire washed over her, and it was all she could do to stay motionless. The silence lengthened as she stood there, and she knew somewhere at the edge of her mind that there was something she was supposed to say. Irritated, she pushed the thought away, wanting only to stay immersed in the chaotic joy of his full attention and his stunning gaze.

(Read all previous parts of chapter two here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html)

Wow, What a Jerk... (story)

The man, Lahden, smiled slightly as he looked her over, his expression untouched by her suffering. "You know very well why. You have played your part in this, and I am finished with you." He stepped closer to her and she turned away to hide her tears. Anger rippled through him at this, and he roughly pulled her back around to face him. "I am too close to my goal to abandon my plans for anyone, even you! Do you understand?"

(Read all previous parts of chapter two here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html)

The Room (story)

A window on the same wall as the fireplace looked out on a dark, sleeping city street. The closed door on another wall stubbornly kept the cold night air outside, allowing the flames to fill the room with a cozy warmth. Rich paintings adorned the walls, an old-fashioned carpet lay in the middle of the room, and an ancient cushioned chair faced the fireplace, giving the place a classic charm. The room was usually comfortable and cheery, but the events of the moment drove all happiness away.

(Read all previous parts of chapter two here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html)

Why? (story)

Chapter Two

 

"Why?" Rynn asked, her hazel-green eyes wide with pain and heartbreak.

 

Her gaze was focused on a pale, dark-haired man. He stood close to her, but displayed such an icy attitude that he seemed far away. He loomed over her, and the crackling fire to his left cast a long shadow over the stone wall to his right.

(Read all previous parts of the story here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html)

The End. Of Chapter One. (story)

Sparks of red light danced around the hand on Daevyn's head. Xeldan and Aerana stared at Elysse, shocked that the woman would use their child to gain immortality. A long silence stretched out until at last, a look of pure innocence on his face, the Immortal giggled.

(Read ALL OF CHAPTER ONE here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/chapter-one.html)

Elysse's Idea (story)

Her eyes shone with an idea. She placed one hand on the baby's head and spoke loudly. "With the power of the Hyspire I bind myself and the great Power's followers to the child Immortal to share in his lengthened life until the end of his days."

(Read all previous parts of the story here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/chapter-one.html)

The Key (story)

"What indeed..." Elysse murmurred. Her golden eyes fixed on Daevyn's peaceful face. She continued speaking thoughtfully, as if to herself. "This boy is the key to both great power and a delicate balance. My order has searched for him for many years. And now I am the one to find him. Wyerma would say that the whole world must be told of the Immortal's birth, but that would cause unnecessary panic among the people. It might even waste what could be a marvelous opportunity..."

(Read all previous parts of the story here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/chapter-one.html)

What? (story)

"My husband meant no disrespect," Aerana said hurriedly. "His mind is simpy focused on the same question mine is. What should we do about this?"

(Read all previous parts of the story here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/chapter-one.html)

Gotta Wonder What She's Really Thinking... (story)

Elysse regarded him coolly. She had been speaking in the tones of a teacher giving a lecture on a subject of personal interest, but now her voice and adittude returned to the cold, imperious manner she had displayed when she had first arrived. "I had assumed you would want to know, being the parents of the one spoken of in the prophecy."

(Read all previous parts of the story here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/chapter-one.html)

Protective Daddy (story)

"Why are you telling us this?" Xeldan demanded impatiently. If there were a problem with his son, he wanted to fix it and be done with this whole thing. He would not let the stories of some dead seer get in the way of protecting his family.

(Read all previous parts of the story here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/chapter-one.html)

More Talk (story)

"Another reason for the prophecy's popularity is that it was given by Faldren Allspeaker, the founder of the Council of Prophets himself. In the sixth year after the War of Sword and Spell, he had a vision of another war yet to come. That night he spake many prophecies but only one of them was written down, and thus the Prophecy of the Immortal is the only one we still have. Since then, every time there has been any rumor of a war between the nations, supporters of the prophecy have banded together to make certain that no one has forgotten."

(Read all previous parts of the story here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/chapter-one.html)

The Nature of Prophecies (story)

She paused to let the words sink in. After a moment, she continued speaking. "One of the things that made this prophecy so well known is how clear it is. Most prophecies are vague and their meaning can change with different interpretations. In fact, there are some minor prophecies that are believed by some to be separate additions to the Prophecy of the Immortal, but are put aside because of their lack of clarity.

(Read all previous parts of the story here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/chapter-one.html)

Prophecy of the Immortal (story)

Elysse smiled slightly, though her eyes remained cold. "Yes. This is all true. But your knowledge is still incomplete. Allow me to recite to you the entire prophecy, translated from the old tongue to our own:

A blood red moon rises

and brings war in its

wake from all parts

of the world Uhdrea.

 

With the Immortal lies

the world's fate. With

his strength, his mind, and

his faith will he triumph.

 

His choice alone

will mark the way. No

other will force

his hand beyond his will.

 

Marks he does bear

to make certain his identity:

eyes of the green sea, a

bloody sword, a scaled chest.

 

He will need a band

of brave companions,

a path to walk,

and an ending to life.

 

For he brings with him

secrets and terror,

life and destruction,

an end to the war.

 

(Read all previous parts of the story here: http://propheciesofshadow.blogspot.com/p/chapter-one.html)