Prelude
In this time, there is a Prophecy. A Prophecy that speaks of Day becoming Night, bringing forth a man, who will see that all of earth bleeds, and the end of all man kind. Elves, Dwarves and all their mystical kindred had left the Lands of Earth only centuries ago. And the Magic they once held had left with them.
Almost all magic that is. A trace of Mystical force remains, but only a fraction and completely wild. The gods had not forsaken all humanity though. For they stayed watch over Earth and their clerics held onto their gift with possessive vigor.

Then, there was War. The last of the ancient casters fought against each other for what lingered of Magic. All over earth empires and kingdoms crumbled. Races vanished, and the earth shuddered. Though many virtuous sorcerers tried to call order and cease to the fighting, arcane knowledge had failed. Many saw this as the hailing to horrendous times to come.
Men of the gods stepped forward in this time of darkness and lawlessness. These priests vowed to protect earth and made it their charge to stay the foreboding future. They became the Priests of Prophecy. Sworn to be the pillar for which faith rests upon and salvation will come. If not from them, from the generations of selected men and women whom they train and teach. The Priests of Prophecy were not men of one god. But all gods, all deities of righteousness and light. No single god had spoken for the Prophecy but it was said to have been news they carried. They kept the faith that as time grew near, one would answer their prayers and the prayers of all man kind.

Of course with the passage of time, as with many things, mankind had forgotten. Forgetting the reasons why and how they almost lost their very state of being. Stories of elves & dwarves were creatures of fairy tales told at the bedside or to explain unknown noises of the forest to children. It was as if the once mystifying creatures had never walked the earth or even under it. After all, no one had seen one in centuries so why believe now. They were simply stories.
Magic on the other hand, A Source of evil they called it. Labeled ill luck, malice. . . simply Dark religious folk practicing unlawful, unforgiving arts to punish neighbors and gain personal profits. The Priests had not let them forget what had brought such ruin generations before.
What of new magic some may wonder. Ah but with such an evil thing, who would dare try? Some, a few brave souls, perhaps even brazen, from the greedy to the simply curious have tried. And put to death. For the only magic that was allowed now, was that gifted by the gods.

When a child, or adult, exhibits a gift for magic, the Priests come. A Testing is done to see if it is a true gift from the gods. If their magic is indeed a gift from the gods, they are asked and encouraged to join the Priesthood in order to strengthen their clutch on the reigns of the Prophecy.
When one is not touched by the gods, they are taken away, protected and kept from using magic ever again. If caught using the darker gift and resistance is given, well, use of Magic is strictly unlawful and punishable by death.

It was by this main declaration, all the Priest's words became law amongst the main body of the continent. After all no one would argue with those who spoke with the mouth of the Gods. It was now wonder then, and seemed common place for the Overseeing Priest to become the Law themselves. There are of course Dukes, Barons, and Lords all across CC each presiding over their own lands. They too followed the rules and laws set by the Priests of Prophecy, and there for upheld the laws and the new way of life for their people.
While the Abby's protection and governing reach almost the full continent of CC, it doesn't fully reach the most distant and barbaric of tribes and nomads. For the Nomads and Mountain tribes known as Mongols still follow their own gods and laws. Though their teachings are similar, and the prophecy is well known, they remain a superstitious folk and take heed, though not always follow the words of Visiting Priests on pilgrimages to convert and gain allies.

This does not keep Prophecy Celebrations from being practiced however, even if each race does celebrate it in their own way. The meaning and spirit of festivities remain universal. Keeping the people from the Prophecy of Blood for year after year, a celebration is in order. Twice a year there are festivals all over the country sides. The biggest of all in main city.
There are two named seasons on earth, Summer and Winter. Two full beautiful eclipses separating the seasons. Long ago, due to the Prophecy, the eclipses had started out as being called the Test. It has stuck to this very day. For two straight days and night before the Event, they celebrate what has come to be known as the ?Last Days.? They say it is a time to amend for old wrongs and to celebrate life for what it was. To remember old lovers, mourn lost family, childhood memories, and to reminisce over life's little and greatest lessons. Just in case the end does come to them all.

Once the Eclipse begins, a great horn is blown and spectacular bells begin to ring, calling all eyes toward the heavens to blink impracticably at the celestial event. The wealthy and educated watch the show through smoked glass, heavy paper, or some elaborate inventor's machines. All the parties and all gala stop for the occasion as the moon and sun seem to slip and melt as one.
With anxious hearts and stilled breath mankind watches and waits. If scanning the crowd easily one could see mothers' pulling their children close, couples clasping hands, never letting go. All in silence, they wait.
Then it is over. The moon having skated past the sun, letting its amber rays break the halo it cast, the Test is over and a new event begins. Breaths of relief are heard across main city as if breathed as one, fears melt and celebrations renew at a higher pitch. A new rejoicing of the ?New Days.? A joyous time to make new resolutions, new friends and time to cheer on the life that is to come. Prosperous times are to come. The party roars on for another two days and nights. Simply because they survived the ?Test? and mankind gets another chance to prolong the fate of the Prophecy.

~to be continued~

~Lica closed the the book lightly and slowly. She didn't want to have to stop reading so soon, but she had a lesson to attened at Myllyanna's Shop. Most assuredly she would be in a hurry to return... the story's hook was sunk deep in her curiousity~

As she pulled the heavy cloak she just bought around her, she could see why, it was just to bloody cold. She had purchased the cloak for a hefty sum, but it was worth it. She and the rest of the group had a cloak made from the hide of the Pilaw Bear. Its hide's worth has almost hunted the giant white bear into extinction. The hide stripped and tanned then treated with the fats from with made the thing almost water proof. A hay mixture stuffed behind a fabric lining kept the wearer pleasingly warm. It works better than anything other then magic to keep the cold at bay. The Priests know that there was not an abundance of Magical cloaks lying about.

As she looked about for the others of her group she spotted them amongst the busy citizens, if you could call them that, moving about in their heavy scraps of fur and pelts patched together poorly and some times not at all. Ewan and Eton were finishing up packing supplies they just bought into saddle bags draped over the Snow Ponies. Oason as usual had a spring in his step, nothing seemed to bother the scout, always eager to get going. Mostly to see what was going to happen next Moon thought. That was the good part, the bad was that spring almost seemed to get the man into trouble, not being able to keep his hands off things that need not be touched. Ewan gave Moon a quick crooked smile and lifted his chin letting her know he was set and it was time to go.
Rohan and Oason where next to be found, after the two had secured the ponies they took off to get the final belongings from the small inn at the end of the only, poorly called, street.
?Think of the devil,? Moon whispered to herself as the pair arrived, Rohan and Oason seemed to be sharing a bit of a joke, but lost the smiles quickly as they saw Moon was set to go, and waiting on them.
The supplies divided, Oason gave a last yank on the straps to his satchels grumbling, ?Nice ponies if I do say so myself, not at all a hassle to get them. Five of them, as asked. Nope . . . ? A last tug took the air out of the stocky beast with an audible grunt, ?not bad at all.?
?No Oason, we hear you. You didn't think we needed to say thanks to all you do.? Retorted Rohan with a chuckle and a wink.
One could swear the wink was just to annoy him. Oason was an oddity, a very tall man with the short men's complex. The lanky fighter was a value to the team, his skills' one of a kind, but the mood was one of a sour plow mule and sometimes the others wished for the Mule.
?So we're off now?? Asked Eton as he took his mount's reins in his hands and looked up to Ewan. Ewan has somehow be come Eton's idol. They had all known each other since before young adulthood, and yet Eton idolized Ewan in all endeavors.
?Aye, up north where it'll be colder than a hag's tit in a brass brazier. So the quicker we get there the better,? Ewan replied setting off, walking his dusty brown pony through the mud and snow.
?I always wondered about that saying.? Pondered Rohan, a smirk forming on the man's rounded face.
?Just how cold is a hag's tit to begin with and then, the brass brazier thing . . . ?
?Oh knock it off,? Moon groaned cutting them off before the conversation got out of control. She couldn't help laughing to herself as they had all had one too many of those long talks about the silly things people said.
?I was simply just asking,? Rohan was the jovial party of the hired party. Even though all of their bodies had been harden physically by toe adventuring life style, Rohan had remained a little soft. More likely his love for good food and finding every possible moment to lounge. He was strong and stout under the classic pudgy merchant exterior.
?Besides,? he went on. ? Everyone thinks about it, I was just the only one to say something.?
?As usual,? quick quipped Ewan a smirk on his face as well.

Once off the muddy avenue, Moon sighed happily, ready to be on the way but knowing a long two stays stood before them. She bundled her long black braid into the hood of her cloak and pulled it about her face. The sun had just hidden its self behind light gray clouds and snow had just started up again with its lazy fat flakes. A Promise of hurried small ones to come.
Ewan nudged his pony up toward the head of the group as the others got settled into the saddle. His eyes where better then the others at this sort of thing, even if the city were their preferred hunting ground. It was nice to be out of the city once in a while even though.
As always the beginning of every trip started out this way, all quiet, each to his or her own thoughts of whatever they left behind and getting the mind right, set on what they needed to do. This time was no different then the others.
The plan had been laid out several times before. Each putting in their own input and knowing their job the best. But no matter the careful planning the group set into things, Eton always had more questions. Moon could hear his mount's hooves under the crisp snow coming up behind her.
?Yes Eton?? She couldn't help smile a little.
They had missed Eton. When younger they had all done much together, as children they had played and gotten in, and out of, trouble. While the others had taken to Adventuring professionally, Eton had heard the calling. He had been accepted to the Order of the Priesthood. The Priests of Prophecy. Well he wasn't a Priest yet, he had a long road ahead of him still. But he would make it far, they all knew he would. While they all teased him for his choice, they were all delighted to have him on this trip.

?Nothing.? Was all he said as he fell in silently beside her pony. She guessed he missed them just as much as they missed him.

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Funny thinks Ewan, one normally thinks of Rolling Planes as green and lush, surrounded by plenty of Farm houses and colorful crops. But not here. Bits of Rock seem to be all that grow here. The Ruins of small outposts and even the corners stones of several Homes that didn't seem to last came into view, peeking out from under the blanket of snow and frozen winter hardy brush.

Boring to the point of, well droll. Droll was all he could think of, so he bound up further in his cloak and thought of what he would do to keep from being so bored and chilly after this chore was done. Ah yes, a fire, a blazing, huge, fire, a lass, no two, one needed to get the drinks right? He had two sides right? Beef... hot, steam, he could see it rising now.
A thump, soft, in the distance pulls him from his day dream. Sure the others did not here he stops his pony short and held up a hand signaling for silence from the others.

As the others halted their own mounts, the silently went from watching Ewan to looking out into the darkening landscape. The snow has stopped giving them a needed reprieve since the sun had started setting. At least now Ewan would have a better chance with his sharp eyes.

?Snow falling from the branches,? he spoke softly as he pointed off to their left as fir's branch gave way to another small gathered clump of snow, sending it with the soft thump he heard before.

The moon is starting to peek out full and bright from behind a small opening in the clouds. It's mystic face lighting the white snow in a blue welcoming glow. Haunting is more like Ewan thought to himself. It sent a set of chills to his spine as well as the flesh, but beautiful none the less.
?We should stop anyway,? spoke Oason into the silence. ?No need to push the ponies more then we have to.? It wasn't because he didn't think the animals could take it, he knew they could ride for a good while more. But the land was not so forgiving with its rocks and holes hidden beneath the snow.

Having stopped, they all took a few moments to look over one of the snowy cliffs that jutted out from the side of riding trail. For as far as the eyes could see a picturesque scene was painted before them. Valleys and more mountain peaks just seemed to sweep on forever further to the north and west. Frozen rivers in their coating of frost and snow drifts would make any bard weep, seeming like blue veins running through white marble. The moment was quickly lost as Moon turned her head around, her strange eyes caught the horizon behind them and the darker gray clouds pushing in. Turning back to her friends, the mood is forgotten with a nod of knowing they need to find shelter now.

Not even an hour pasted they had spotted a small house, perhaps a hunting lodge. It still retained most of its four walls and complete roof. From what they could tell it was complete. Its walls made from stone that seemed not yet beaten by the weather told tale of it being recently abandoned and promised to be sturdy enough.

?I wish I could insist to move on, to have used the light.? Moon sighed. As she looked up, the night's moon that tried so hard to peek through, simply gave up. ?Just to be there quicker.?

?I know,? Ewan says heavily. ?The weather is shifting. Storms coming in.?

?How bad?? Oason asks, looking over at the scout with worry crossing over his hard features.

?Heavy. I smell it. It will blanket all this here in a few hours.?

?Then that's that. We need to get shelter now.? Rohan spoke up. ?Any ideas??

?The old house, lodge, farm, whatever, should be good enough, at least it's stood this long I think it will last another night,? offered Ewan.

Moon looked up finding all eyes on her. ?Let's do as nature boy says.? She added a quick smile to ease herself more then the others.

With a flick of the reigns and sharp nudge Ewan turned his mount back the way they came. He was sure his pony needed no urging in turning back. Surely the animal knew shelter when it saw it. He too was pleased with the choice. Why risk a night out in the winter storm when the chance of a better lodging was just so slim. They had learned that lesson once already. It was certainly the best they had seen since they left the out post.

He glanced over his shoulder, reaching up and grabbing the hood to his cloak. The wind had been blessedly at their backs the way from, but now in turning he could feel a bit of the chill stinging his cheeks as the wind tried to pull the heavy cowl from his head as they started moving.

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Taking care to place the Ponies as close to the stone lodge as possible, keeping them on the side sheltered from the wind, the other two fir trees that grew so close together they too seemed to be snuggling close to the house for any possible warmth the owners might make. They agree to check through out the night on their watches, making sure the shifting snow won't block the animals in or start to freeze them through out the night. They were shaggy mountain ponies after all, used to this climate, but one still needed to take care. A dead horse was just that, dead. They had thought about bringing them in, but simply there was just no enough room in the single room hut.

It was surely a large enough room, enough for a fire, small but warming with out burning or freezing if one got to far or too close. The builders must have had many nights like this one to have arranged what the party had assumed was a earth and stone pit almost to the middle of the low ceiling room.

Ewan had agreed to take first watch, giving himself a little time to think while he worked on his tool kit. The cold was playing tricks with a few of the springs and locks of his trade. He was thief by trade and a Scout by profession. He had grown up with this motley crew, finding each other in the City's orphanage early on. A typical fate for most children in that time. Products of a war with some country he can't recall on the outskirts of the Priests territory. The city supplied the rest until the priest cleaned it up a bit.
Travelers and Cut throats coming and going through the main city. It was a Metropolis of the age. Everything one could wish for, buy, or dream up could be found there. One of the four largest cities on the planet hear tale of it, and the single largest on this continent. Needless it say it attracted all sorts. The good and the bad.

Ewan had a knack for thievery, what young lad didn't if left to the streets. Other then dead or starving ones. He was the eyes and ears for their little band. He could hear the most incredible silence and his eyes gave up no detail. His friends often teased him that should he become Legendary he not forget them, the simpler folk.
He laughed softly and went on oiling a hinge on a folding grapple. What he lacked in height he made up in his ability to think and act fast, quick and nimble. Making his sword play notorious among others of his profession.

A gambler and ladies man at heart though. Dark brown eyes, a deceiving youthful face, and shoulder length hair of curls bound back in a pony tail made it easy for him. Even with a cross-bolt scar below his neck, a scar receive in a fight in the city didn't hinder his charm. The women swoon over it thinking him mysterious and of course Ewan plays along. Others have told him he brings too much attention to himself, and the others, with being a touch on the flamboyant side. A comment he's more then once shrugged off, considering life's boring only if you are.

Not a terribly attractive man, pale with dusty blonde hair, not overly fit or scrawny, but yet lanky if you watched him close enough. Plain at best really. That would have been a great asset for anyone wishing to go unnoticed in the thievery line. But one thing worked against him. Oason was just too tall. A good head above the others in his party, and most anyone else.

Though he had dabbled with thievery, fighting or hire sword had been his best bet. Though he grew up with the others, he was the only one not of the orphanage. Though he wished on more then one occasion he had been in his younger days. His home was not a happy one by any measure. His father had taken to the drink when Ewan's mother ran off.
Habits learned at home gave the lad a hot temper and he never saw fit to have a reason to get into a scuff with someone who crossed him. All the bullying and fatherly cuffs, as he liked to call them, made him the groups greatest fighter. Eager to jump into the fray, fearless on the edge of being foolish some say, he's become a fine intimidator and strong arm when the party was in a pinch.

Oason found his eyes had rested on Moon as she slept. He felt a calm wash over him. It was amazing to him how she could calm him yet infuriate him within a heart beat. And he had no idea why. She was his main reason for staying with the group of friends as long as he had. He had to admit he'd had a crush on her as a child. He would hurry through his chores, risking his Father's belt, just to go play with the others. Now that he can look back, it really was to see her.

Of course he would never admit such a thing. Ewan and Rohan knew though, unbeknownst to him. A childhood crush was not one you could hide from other lads.

He felt his temper starting to rise as he recalled many of those early evenings, but calmed again as she stirred.

Moon was raven haired beauty in his eyes, and most others. Her eyes had the almond shaped tilt of a far away land, and a violet gray hue to them that could bewitch most men. She was taller then most women, trim and lithe. On the rare occasion she let her hair fall from a braid, it would flow about her hips and he would find himself just wanting to hold her.
He could feel the heat rushing to his face. He knew he must be blushing. He brushed the feeling angrily aside. Feeling foolish he cursed himself knowing what would not be, for she was the type attracted to flops and rich merchants sons. She did not allow such things in the group.
More then the others Moon was the Party leader. She was the no nonsense type. Though she arranged most of the Jobs the party took on, her job was mostly arcane. Her talents lied in translations and disarming magical traps. Though she is a more then apt thief, her magic is her most needed attribute. Though Magic has been outlawed, she still uses it. After all Moon and the party always saw Laws as a guide line rather then absolute rule and it's served this far and that way of thinking has kept them alive.

Eton, the youngest of the group, had set out with them for what he believes is his big chance. One that most young Priest never see. Eager to research into new places and lands, time with old and dear friends. Since the moment he found out he had gained the approval for this Venture, he had been absolutely alight with excitement.


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The smell of the coffee filled the stone lodge with a more then welcoming aroma. The scent seemed to put a light easy mood to the early morning. Everyone sat about the fire silently eating morning rations of cold apples and bites of sharp cheese. Talking quietly about the nights sleep being more pleasant and better then what the expected, Moon started combing out last nights braid from her hair. The mage looked over to Eton, his book spread across his lap collecting little crumbs of cheese that he quickly picked at and licked his fingers.

?Anything new? Some revelation came to you in the night perhaps?? she was wishing she supposed.
?Nope, not a damn thing,? Picking his head up he grinned sharply and added, ?You??
She wanted to throw her comb at him right now for being so smart lipped. She decided to save that tactic for another time and whispered, ?Smart ass.?
?I think I someone should check on the Ponies,? Rohan said just before downing his cup of coffee.

?That's a good idea, thanks for volunteering.? Ewan looked over to his long time friend, smiling around the bite of apple in his mouth.
Moaning as the others chuckled, Rohan rose to his feet and headed out the make shift door leather drape. They could swear they heard him muttering about Rohan this and Rohan that, Ponies and a few other obscenities tossed into the mix.

?Nice mouth that one. Anyway,? brushing his hands on his pant legs, Ewan started to rise, speaking on, ?We should get to cleaning up and start moving out. It's light enough out there. Oason, help me with the gear will you.?
?Right,? Oason answered and stood himself, cramming a hunk of cheese in his mouth as he did.

Eton and Moon took to the task of killing the fire and storing away the kettle utensils. There was no possible way to make it look as if no one had stayed the night within the house. Any snow that had been inside had been brushed out and several tracks marked up the snow around the shelter. But since they weren't running from any thing, or any one, yet, such details didn't matter.

The pair heard Rohan give a shout that the mounts where ready and everyone could start saddling up. Cinching the leather straps to his book satchel, Eton bundled it under his arm and hurried out the door.
Ewan had just finished securing his rolled sleeping pad to the saddle when he looked over seeing Moon at the door way taking down the leather tarp that had served as last nights door.

?Storm must have been waiting for us,? he pointed up to the sky.
Blinking they all look upward. The Dark clouds seemed to have clung to the area, maybe thinking it could yet trap them. The night had been blustery, and the snow had deepened, but it had snowed only in patchy bursts, saving the best for last it seemed. As if on cue, a flake as big as a man thumb fell slowly, landing on OEwan's cloaked shoulder.

?Better bundle up,? he said and pulled his cowl over his head. All did just that, pulling on second gloves or binding their cloaks tight. Ewan settled in for the long ride ahead. They had plenty of distance to travel yet, and they needed to do it at a brisk pace.

Blinking against the snow trying to keep an eye out for Ewan, Rohan felt his pony shift and shake its head ridding the snow from it's ears. Without so much as a sound in the storm, Ewan came slowly back into view and approached the group. He held a hand in front of his face, trying to block snow from obscuring his vision as he took in a breath to shout loudly so all could hear.

?No good, the path ends in a drop off to no where we want to go,? he took a deep breath, as if thinking and went on, ?Up there,? and he pointed off to the groups left, all eyes followed his gloved hand. It may have been a path at one time, but it looked like a steep, rock strewn goat trail to them now.

?Are you Mad?? yelled Oason over the scream of more winds, ? We will not make that.?
?It is our only choice,? Ewan rebutted. ? I scouted ahead and saw the mountains just pasted the Lake, The Lake we needed to find.? Ewan's voice cracked with the strain he was putting on it in the cold air.

?Besides It will put a little Rock between us and the storm winds if we do. We just need to go up before we can go down. There is no other choice!?
?He's right Oason,? It was Moon's turn to strain her lungs yelling against the wind.
?And it would take too long to get back to the lodge. If we made it back at all.?

?Alright,? Oason gave in, he had trusted the scout before why stop now. After all the thief ranger knew they wilderness best of all of them.

She noticed that none of them had to have raised their voices to a shout to be heard by the others. She wondered if sometime either during the events or just before, and she hadn't noticed, the winds had indeed calmed down considerably. The snow had turned into slow lazy flakes again and barely cast a veil at all.

Once they worked their way to the top of the snow covered rock trail, the path widened and flattened. Ahead of them the could see the easy descent leading off towards the Lake they could see perfectly now. Past that the foot hills they were told that surrounded the Temple they sought.
Lake Cipoll was the largest Lake on CC, and the only Glacier lake. It's waters were icy death within seconds during the darkest of winter. Ewan voiced that he thought they were much warmer during the summer.

Fortunately, the path that had planned had lead them as Ewan predicted, towards the smaller end of the Lake. From this height and this side was the only reason they could see the white foot hills beyond. Any other part and all they would have seen would have been bitter waters for miles.
Unlike many other lakes on CC, there were no trees in sight. Just barren rock with patches of grass hidden underneath snow.

?It must have been formed by either a volcano in ancient times, now long dead and eroded by time, or maybe even a meteoroid beyond imagination!? Exclaimed Eton suddenly seeming to come to his full animated self again.

?Lets look for a decent place to set up camp,? Ewan said cutting into the Educational lecture Eton was about to start.
?Yes, lets.?
?Please.?
?I agree.?

Eton snapped his mouth shut with an audible snip and merely shrugged as they continued on.

?As I was saying...? Eton started on again. Ewan and Oason shared a look towards Eton in askance. But Eton was oblivious and went on chirping about the marvels of modern science and the possibilities of the heavens.

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