Chapter Twenty
Jestung, Jestant System, Poserion Sector, Gaashox Quadrant
The three young pilots from Jestung who had met Grogaan on Drolees, returned to their home planet to pass on the news believing they had found the one the prophecy spoke of. While Wrenkle and Hosrak went to their homes in the nearby village to relax and unwind after their long journey, Jedrool met with their Master: Xarasss.
Xarasss was a highly respected religious elder and the Grand Master of the Order of the White Eagle, although few knew of this fact, even on Jestung and Jestant. He was a wise old man who spent most of his time studying the ancient texts of his people, those from other worlds, and anything appertaining to the Guardian Order. He also placed much import on their prophecies, some of which had not yet come to pass, but would have profound consequences on the quadrant when they did.
He was well known for his eccentricity and excitability, many believing he was insane, but he was quite the opposite. Xarasss was a highly intelligent man who was adept in the art of magic, gifted beyond that of the Guardians. He was a powerful wizard, comparable to those who lived in the days before the Guardians arose, a wizard of the first order.
Xarasss kept his power secret from all but a handful of trusted friends, some of whom were also adept in the art. The others were those who served the Brotherhood as in times of old. There were some details the wise man knew of, but not many, and he was desperate to learn much more. While Jedrool and his friends had been waiting for the signs that indicated the prophecy was coming to pass, other members of the Brotherhood were searching the planets for more information.
So far, nothing was to be found.
The wise old man and his few wizard friends were able to determine if a prophecy was genuine or not, sometimes the confirmation being gleaned quickly, but other times only after many hours of mediation and contemplation. They were waiting for the fulfilment of one prophecy in particular, one they believed foretold of events that would transpire before the resurgence of the Guardians and the re-establishment of the Fazaal Sector Council. This council, where a large number of Guardians sat in office alongside the representatives of the systems, had been the strongest to have existed in the Gaashox Quadrant, its influence spanning great distances, even beyond the quadrant.
There were two other unfulfilled prophecies that Xarasss was interested in. The first he hoped would come to pass in his lifetime. The other he hoped would not.
The first suggested the ancient Brotherhood of the White Eagle, formed by the fabled Teragon Knights, would arise from the ashes of dishonour and corruption. It had not vanished completely, especially on Jestung: Another secret to be kept amongst the few, although the number of members, both adept in magic and those who were not, was increasing slowly.
The second spoke of an evil sorcerer, one who had committed heinous crimes against his fellow people, and who would rise from the dead, but Xarasss did not know how this could be possible considering the sorcerer’s fate. To even think of it made the wizard shudder in fear of what might happen if he did return.
Jedrool sat listening intently to all the wise man had to say. Xarasss had spent a long time meditating in solitude within the temple, and after much deliberation with his sub-master, was convinced Jedrool was correct. He also believed Grogaan Learman was the one depicted in the prophecy. There was, however, one detail regarding Learman that troubled Xarasss, giving him his only reason to doubt he was the one. He was not yet adept in the art of magic.
Xarasss knew it took many years for an individual to become a fully trained and disciplined Guardian, or as he now preferred to call them, wizards, as they did in ancient times. It was going to be hard enough achieving peace with the Hebradon Empire becoming so powerful, but having to possibly wait years would make it even harder.
“Master Xarasss, forgive my failing but there is one thing I have forgotten to mention,” said Jedrool lowering his head in shame.
“Go on,” said the Master.
“The insignia on the tail fin of their ships and name badges shows an eagle with a gem in its beak, both stitched in green.”
Xarasss gazed at the young man and shook his head gently. “Jedrool, why did you not remember this sooner?”
“My apologies, Master, but in my excitement I forgot. Does this have any influence on the situation?”
The old man sighed. “Yes, of course it does. Do you not see or perceive the significance?”
Jedrool shook his head.
“Grogaan has marked them with the eagle. It may not be a white eagle as was the Teragon Eagle of ancient times, but the fact that it is green speaks volumes.” When his young protégé looked at him curiously he expounded further. “The green eagle is the symbol of lesser magical power, one used to distinguish between Master and Novice; the novice bearing the green eagle; the Master, the white.”
“Then he is the one.” Jedrool was unable to hide the excitement in his voice.
Xarasss nodded. “My dilemma is resolved. It explains his unique ability as a fighter pilot.” He smiled knowing he was witnessing the dawn of a new era. The time of Guardians was drawing to a close. The time of true wizards and the Brotherhood of the Teragon Knights was about to begin.
Xarasss sipped some of his spring water before closing his eyes. Jedrool sat quietly and waited patiently for the old man to finish his brief period of meditation. The young Jestungan had developed great patience while studying under his Master, never rushing into anything without spending much time pondering the full implications of his actions. His only regret was that he had not yet shown any signs of being adept in the art of magic.
The old man opened his eyes, sipped his drink, and then looked intently at his faithful disciple. “You and your friends must return to Drolees. From there, destiny will guide you along the path you must take.”
Jedrool nodded, pleased at Xarasss’ suggestion. He was hoping destiny would provide him with a plausible reason to visit Mabraant and meet Grogaan again. He firmly believed their futures were intertwined in the prophecy, but when their paths would cross again was enshrouded in mystery.
“I fear we will not be able to reside on Drolees for long. If the Empire continue their conquests, it cannot be long before Drolees falls.”
Xarasss gazed at the young man with interest and curiosity. “I’m afraid I cannot see the fate of that planet, and I don’t know why. You must follow the path destiny guides you along. Whatever you feel you must do, do; wherever you feel you must go, go. Do not hesitate or act against what you believe to be right, but you must return to Drolees first.”
“If it must be so, then that is what I’ll do.” As he gazed at the wise man with sadness in his heart for having to leave his homeworld again so soon, he had a strange premonition that he would not be returning to Jestung or Jestant for some time to come. Maybe he would never return or see his Master again.
“I sense your doubts young man. Yes, my time here is drawing to an end, and it grieves me to know I may not see peace restored to the quadrant.”
“Farewell Master. You have been a good friend and teacher,” he said knowing he would miss the old man and listening to all he had to reveal.
Xarasss remained seated on the floor, but looked up at the young man. “Farewell Jedrool Dagrantin. I will keep watch for you in my meditations and visions as I traverse the astral realm. It saddens me that you have been unable to draw upon the power of the astral realm, but believe me when I say your strength will be of great benefit to the Brotherhood. Remember, it requires those who are and those who are not adept in magic to be strong: It always did in times past; it always will in times to come.”
Jedrool smiled, turned on his heel and left. Destiny was not always kind, nor did it always lead one on paths that were clearly mapped out or easy. Patience, dedication and determination were the key to understanding one’s role in life, to finding one’s way through life, and to achieving one’s ambition. For a member of the Brotherhood, patience was of the utmost import
ance: Patience to sit and wait, to listen intently until destiny’s whisper is heard, to understand its directing influence, and to act only when it was time to act.
The wise man was saddened at his young friend’s departure, knowing there was a high probability he would never see him again. There was no doubt about him following his destiny without question, or whether he would fulfil his part of the prophecy. Xarasss hoped he would live long enough to see it happen, to see the Teragon Knights rise from the ashes.
The young man left the temple room, returned to his village to tell his friends what Xarasss had revealed, and what his intentions were. The two agreed to accompany him regardless of what the future held for them, there being nothing to keep them on their homeworld. They had been through much together, and their friendship was important to him, but more importantly, Jedrool believed they were integral to the fulfilling of the prophecy. Shortly afterward, the three young men took off and set course for Drolees. There they would wait patiently for destiny to show them where they were to go, or what they were to do next.