“I’m assuming neither of you were able to understand my young protégé. Very well then.” She sighed and smoothed her silks down with the palms of her hands. “Let me tell you once more. Jaelan, graced as you are with the blood of both human and god, have been mentioned in prophecy. Priestess Senisari was bestowed with a vision but only a fortnight ago, foretelling you to be the bringer of prophecy. You must go to the mountain of seven peaks, reach its hidden cave and find the jade moon trapped in five shadows. Sadly, if you do not leave immediately, there is a chance you will miss the opportunity.”

Jaelan felt a chill run down his spine as an array of goosebumps broke across his skin. “So, I must go to the mountain of seven peaks?” He looked to the North where the mountain range peeked in the distance. “That would take a full moon’s cycle to travel.”

“Indeed.” The woman nodded slowly. “Which is why it is pertinent you leave as soon as possible if you are to find what you seek. Neither I nor Priestess Senisari were able to pinpoint exactly when the Jade moon of five shadows would appear in the cave of the mountain. Only that you must set out and find it as soon as possible, alone.”

“But why my son?” The Chief interjected. He felt a growing sense of trepidation brew in the pit of him stomach. “Surely any other of my clan can go and fetch this moon? All are of mixed blood here. He’s my only son out of nine children, and you’re asking me to send him alone to the North without hesitation?”

“I am just the messenger of the word.” The old woman creased her brow. “It is completely up to him whether he chooses to go or not. Though I highly recommend you do, Jaelan.” She looked at him pointedly. “If you chose to throw our words to the wind, the blood of your kinsmen will be on your hands.”

“Just a min—”

“—If you do not heed the prophecy and stay here,” the old woman continued, her voice took on an eerie tone. “You shall have a decade of prosperity but then...it will all come to an end. Your lands shall be invaded, your women taken from you and your sons beheaded before your very eyes. This land shall be thrown into chaos. Blood shall flood the rivers, and fields will be turned into wasteland…a horror upon mankind unlike any you or your ancestors have ever seen.”

Jaelan inhaled sharply. The image of his sisters being torn away by invisible hands…their yet to be born sons and daughters pulled from their arms and impaled upon spikes as an army of men pillaged their homes. So vivid was the vision that Jaelan grabbed the sides of his head and dug his fingers into his scalp. He shook his head to clear it of the terrifying image.

“You saw it, didn’t you?” The woman whispered grimly. Her lip trembled as she gazed sympathetically at the frightened young man. “Your mixed blood…allowed me to project the vision to you and your father.”

Jaelan staggered just a bit before he whipped his head towards his father. His mouth drew open as he took in his father’s horrified expression. The Chief’s eyes glazed over as the vision continued to play in his head without respite. Unlike him, his father couldn’t break away from the imagery. He was forced to watch it play out to the very end. Before it had even finished, tears streamed down his father’s face.

And that…that scared Jaelan more than anything.

Never in his seventeen years of life had he ever seen his father cry.

“I’ll go.”

“Jaelan, wait!” Soral finally broke through the crowd. His breath ragged as he pushed through the throng that had gathered around the village circle when Priestess Senisari had entered the scene. The warrior’s eyes were wide and unable to hold back the fear he felt. “You can’t!”

Soral watched in silent apprehension. His heart pounded like a drum in his chest as Jaelan turned his head towards him. The familiar eyes were clear with resolve as the wind whipped his ebony locks across his face. The two boys held each other’s gaze for a minute, reading what otherwise words couldn’t convey before finally Jaelan looked away, head cast down.

“I leave as soon as the sun peaks in the sky.”