laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

"And don't forget the pouches on my work table," Lykeira's authoritative voice echoed through the hallway from the master bedroom and prompted Selene into action. Now fifteen, the budding sage maneuvered passed two other acolytes to collect the matriarch's things for the Gathering. Soon finding the small, leather pouches, she stuffed all eight into her backpack, then tied it closed. She had been worked hard in all aspects her whole life and barely broke a sweat in the cooling air of autumn.

"I just hope your sisters have their goods ready to go, you know how I hate waiting," the elder archmage revealed as she emerged at the doorway. Still looked the same to the trainee, Selene thought to herself as she moved to the Mother of Brecon.

"Yes, ma'am," she agreed and smiled. Much more mature, her vibrant blue eyes sparkled with energy from the rounded, tanned face. As she neared the elder, long, thin fingers carressed Selene's cheek lovingly.

"You've come along way these past years, my love," Lykeira smiled admiringly. "I'm very proud of you." Words that meant more to the daughter than she revealed beyond the warm smile. "You're going to make a great elder one day." Confidence that preceded a faded smile as the matriarch turned and headed towards the main door. Selene followed as Viveca and Tonya joined them, each loaded down with bulging leather backpacks.
Once out into the bright sunlight, she noticed the rest of the school standing in the rounded courtyard, floored with honed wood which kept them from all falling nearly a hundred feet to the forest floor below.

"Mother," Lykanna greeted the matriarch. "Shall I do the honors?"

"If you wish." Selene watched as the dark haired witch swept wide with her hands and opened a tear in the air before her. Blue, angry sparks shot around the circular opening and remained peeled until all walked through into the treeline located hundreds of leagues southwest of her home.
Tents erected by their hosts filled the large clearing before them and Selene kept pace with her charge as Lykeira led her family of seventy-three into the makeshift town full of masters of various arts. The annual gathering was a longstanding tradition among the various sects and covens that secretly populated the Agra Mountains. Trading knowledge and wares kept them self-sufficient but, Selene secretly hated this week.

"Remain near me at all times," Lykeira stated as she glanced to Selene momentarily.

Nodding, she had no problems with that order. "Yes, mother." Blue eyes gravitated to the approaching male dressed in dark browns and black and carried a beautifully crafted staff of cherry wood and adorned with brass, gold and silver accents. Topped with an onyx stone smoothly polished, she could feel the energy and power from the obvious sorcerer as he grinned.

"Good to see you and your coven again, Lykeira," he greeted. Balding, the grey haired man's hawk-like features and grey van dyke made her uncomfortable immediately. "I hope my order is among your things," his boney hand tightened around the quarterstaff as brown eyes glanced to her and grinned.

"I told you they would be," the archmage replied. "Now, if you'll excuse me and let us get set up." Pleasantries only used during this time of the year as Lykeira continued to their right without his approval which was unnecessary anyway.

"Of course, madam."

Once at their allotted site, she began the chore of arranging the matriarch's tables and then untied the backpack and set out the various colored candles and other accessories created that didn't already belong to an order. Uniformly lined along the wooden platform, she took pride in what they had completed this year and tuned out the cacophony of voices who all boasted and chided their neighbors around them.

"I'm feeling ill," Viveca interrupted as her friend helped lay out more candles.

Suddenly worried, Selene glanced to the brunette. "Why, what's wrong?"

"Their stink," she motioned to the predominantly male population in the various colored tents and pavilions across from them. "Wish I had remembered that incense now that I think about it."

Selene chuckled and continued her chore. "You should be used to this by now. We've been attending this habitually for years."

"Yeah, I know," she sighed and dipped into the sack for more candles. "Just miss the scents of our forest, that's all."

"You realize," Tonya interjected. "Some of us will be matched during this gathering." A revelation that sent nervous chills up Selene's spine as she eyed the thin, blonde then turned to scan the crowd of gawking males of various ages and looked for at least a favorable visage that she could bear to lie with. Very few met with her approval and she returned her attention to the pack.

"Don't remind me," Viveca spat in distaste.

"Girls," Lykanna's distinct, silky voice called from behind them and prompted the trio to turn to their elder. "It's the only way to keep our coven growing and alive," blue eyes locked with Tonya. "Whether you like the manner of it or not. It's momentary," she grinned and gazed to the growing crowd. "Trust me."

"Yes, ma'am," Tonya replied and they completed their task.

"The key is to enjoy yourself," Lykarra added, the inuendo going unappreciated by Selene who had no idea of those things. At least with men. "And make sure to find a quiet place to dispose of the body afterwards." She was unsure if she could do that either, though if properly motivated she knew such things would only come naturally.

* * *

That night, she served Lykeira's dinner and tended to the matriarch who lounged within the main tent which housed the master's from each of the various houses, covens, sects and other families. Men and women from all walks of life and backgrounds and each dressed amazingly, sporting their best in the faces of their allies and rivals. At least the organizer made sure to seat everyone in a large circle and keep anyone from being offended.

"I've witnessed paladin's scouting deeper into the mountains as of late," a thinly built, older man whose gaunt features reminded her more of an undead creature than a living one stated and his stern, but higher pitched voice nearly made her laugh. "This church of Arhus has become a growing problem in my lands and will soon spill into those of yours as well. Mark me."

"You need to keep your creations from drawing their attention then," a handsome, older male in black clothing and cloak countered. His strong features gave her a moment of pause as she looked into his cold, dark eyes. "I've had some of my own men kill them in their sleep," he waved off the threat as if swatting a fly. "I've talked with Enestius's ambassador and she assured me that this so-called threat will soon be a faded memory."

"I'm not sure he's ready to ascend to that position yet," a quiet, but very mature female interjected and gained everyone's attention as her blue eyes turned left to see a very beautiful, dark haired woman probably in her thirties. Adorned in golden earrings and necklace, her red silk dress and plunging neckline excited the young sage as she carressed the mature woman with her eyes. "He may be our Father's son, but I still have doubts that his few years under the tutelage of his mother and grandmother is enough to prepare him for what has to be done."

"Arianna," the darkly clad male across the immense table called. "He has the power and resolve for this war, trust me. I've met him myself some months back. He already has spies in high places who have been working to gain the right station when the time is right." He scanned the crowd around them. "Be prepared. The war is coming."

Lykeira cleared her throat and gained the stage as she leaned forward. "Not all of us fear a war with those who have oppressed us for centuries. I even venture to say that we'll have more allies in this endeavor than we imagine and I have no doubts as to Enestius's abilities. But, I do have my reservations that we can fight alongside one another when the time comes."

"Moreso for you and your covens than us," the high pitched voice cut in rudely and gained Selene's immediate ire as she glanced to the instigator of the discussion.

"Mardin, even you have your purpose in his plan," Lykeira returned sarcastically and gained a chuckle from the crowd. "I have no issues in joining all of you in this fight. Irregardless of our past, all of us will have to do our part if we wish victory."

"Bold words," Mardin continued. "I've been doing my part even before you and yours were stealing children in the night. I'll believe your promise when I see it."

Lykeira's gaze shot to the necromancer. "This isn't the forum for jealousy. However, if you wish to satisfy some affront from me personally, I'll be more than happy to oblige you." The man's smug grin made Selene ready for that fight until a deep voice interrupted the argument and she turned right to see another large, handsome man surrounded by a troupe of gorgeous women who seemed more like adoring fans to him than wives.

"That won't be necessary, Lykeira." His dark eyes like portals to the abyss gave Selene chills as he glanced to the far end of the table. "I've heard enough of your prattlings Mardin. I also know that your hunger for bodies has drifted from the ancient battlefields to the cemeteries of Polgar recently. Those practises must stop or those paladins that you're pissing yourself over will destroy you." He grinned evilly. "I can promise you that." Selene never admired the strength and authority of anyone else but her mothers before, but this man commanded respect. "An army is on it's way from the Jann and Macau kingdoms prompted by Enestius's agents who coerced men of the Astaran Empire to invade them two years ago. So, he does know what he's doing after all. Ready yourselves for the invasion that should arrive with the heat of next summer. For this to succeed, we all have to do our part." Perfect white teeth grinned as he sat back, silver goblet in hand. "I personally look forward to dining in the halls of Davos this time next year."