The Novatè

The massive doors to the Temple of Rol opened gently. The sound from the soft patter of feet on the forest ground became sharp sound from the steps of feet on the marble floor. The king, the queen and their entourage marched into the temple, the king and queen being at the middle of the procession.

The temple was as massive inside as it was from the outside. Supported by several pillars, the temple stood tall and strong. The floors were polished and the walls were decorated with animal carvings; horns and hooves, wings and tail.

The queen couldn't understand it all. But then again, she hadn't taken up the opportunity to be a disciple to the Oracle.

A disciple approached them, almost regal in his robe, walking in a way that suggested respect and pride.

"Your Majesties" He bowed waist deep.

"The Oracle has been notified of your presence . You may come into the inner Chambers"

Although the King and the Queen were the rulers of the vampirae , the Oracle was well respected throughout the kingdom and even the King and Queen accorded her certain repects. That included coming into the sacred inner Chambers only when summoned by the Oracle.

They proceeded to the inner Chambers where the Oracle stood before an orb.

The room she was in was dark. Large,but not as the main hall of the temple. Candles were lit from the entrance of the room to the place where the Oracle stood.

The Oracle was ancient yet young. Tall with a pale creamy complexion. Striking to look at, a sight for sore eyes.

Her eyes were framed by thick black lashes and her lips were red and heart shaped.

The only thing the Queen found frightening about her was the chill that surrounded the air whenever she prophesied. Or the black orbs that replace her eyes and seemed to swallow the light near it whole.

The Oracle turned to face the royals . She smiled.

"You came seeking answers" she said

"That is correct, Oracle" the Queen replied in an even voice.

Silence ensued. Sometimes the moments with the Oracle were disconcerting.

"The answers you seek are neither what you expect, nor want to hear".

" We will prefer any answer to silence" the king replied in an almost snap.

The Oracle raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow.

" As you wish" she said

With a snap of her fingers, fire emanated from her hand. The white flames streaked with violet licked at her fingers in a hypnotic way. Pure magic. She controlled it with an expertise with which experienced soldiers wielded swords.

This never stopped amazing the Queen.

Vampires had amazing skills, but the Oracle wasn't ancient for nothing.

A gentle breeze blew throughout the room. The candles went off.

Suddenly the room became dark. The only source of light the flame licking at the Oracle's fingers.

Her hand moved in a swirling motion towards the orb and the orb was set aflame from within. The fire started small. Then it grew until the flames engulfed the orb. The King and Queen turned away but the Oracle looked on.

Meanwhile, the Oracle chanted " The fire shall reveal,

The flames shall grow

Shadows begone!

The cycle's begun"

The light grew brighter and brighter until... puff, it went off.

.. the candles lit up. The Oracle began speaking fervently in a musical chant-like voice. Each rise in pitch and lilting sound painted a picture so real and vivid.

"A Novatè . Three Turns (years) from now. You have been searching for a child, a successor. Have you not?"

The Queen face blanched. That was something she was not expecting. In her line, very few of her ancestors turned out to be Novatès.

Novatès were extremely powerful vampires, with hypnotic and aura enchanting powers.

Worse, after the wars set off by Novatès against the Wolvae three hundred years ago, the war that set two parts of the realm against each other, it was dangerous to have Novatès as children, as even Vampirae consider them threats and the danger they would be in from the world around them.

If the Queen was told while growing up that she would be mother to the first Novatè in three hundred years she would have told the person that the joke was on them .

During the war, the Wolvae and the Vampirae used dangerous magic whose effects were still visible.

The species of the Realm lived long, but the magic used in the wall caused the warring parties to be wiped out.

The hatred between the Vampirae and the Wolvae continued even after the destruction.

It was declared and supported by other nations of the realm fight against the birth of Novatès whose powers wreaked so much havoc in the first place.

The king and Queen of Vampirae were forced to enforce this rule, even though majority of people given birth to as Novatè were Vampirae.

The powers of the child must be kept secret.

The Queen turned to her husband and saw a similar expression on his young face. Vampires hardly aged. The King and Queen would be stuck in their mid- thirties for a long time.

The King's brow creased in a furrow, but determination shone in his eyes.

The Oracle seemed to understand the wordless communication between the King and Queen.

"Of course, her powers can be put off for sixteen Turns. Her powers will then be too strong to hold back".

The Oracle chuckled. " It is indeed true what they say. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. How funny that rulers should break rules! "

But the expression on the Oracle's face was a far cry from the words the she just uttered. Her expression was serious.

"Though her powers may be dark, she can save . She is the light and dark, she chooses her own path.

She'll have the mark of a Novatè, a special mark. Do keep her safe, the times are dangerous and will become more dangerous several Turns from now.

The Fall of the mighty is imminent and only the courageous can save ".

The King and Queen left the Temple of Rol with their entourage in tow. The distance from the Temple to the forest entrance was enough time to reflect on the Oracle's words.

The royal carriage awaited them just outside the boundaries of the Flame Forest.

As soon as they stepped out of that boundary, the magic meant to keep the territory out of sight condensed back into place.

They got into the carriage. There was a war to fight. Strategies to make. And a child was on the way .

A very special Vampirae child.