“Raven go and inform the Council about recent events” said Ching fluently in the ancient language at which the bird flew off, cutting across the cloudy sky.
“Xia and Asra, come sit here” he said patting the ground as he thumped down followed by the two, who sat silently. Ching took Xia’s delicate hands and squeezed them gently.
“Xia, my dear, I will now answer your question. I am the Annoxonum, actually I was and so was your father although he did not belong to the Annox line. Ask me not of what Raven meant for that information is not precise yet and as for the Council, that is a body of the dignified, most erudite people who we consult.” whispered Ching looking at the floor. Asra sighed knowingly but Xia had a greater impact.
“D-Dad w-was an An-Ann-Annoxonum?” stammered Xia.
“Yes” said Asra, “He died in battle.”
“M-Mom you knew t-this, why didn’t y-you tell m-me” asked Xia, shocked.
“I’m sorry…” Asra broke off as she was afflicted with sudden sobs and Xia looked at Ching expectedly for some information but he sped to the entrance, distracted by a loud wail. Xia felt defeated as she glanced at her mother heaving in between sobs.
“Sorry Mom” she muttered as she hugged her mother and inaudibly cried with her.
Chapter Six
~The Annoxonum Revealed~
At the Council…
“Raven has informed us of Axhelius and Aria’s sudden ambush which Ching has fought bravely against” said the Chief, his voice echoing in the smooth, marbled chamber. The Chief sat with his horn rimmed glasses positioned on the tip of his nose and his stocky hands clutching his wispy white hair.
“Yes” chirped Melodia, the High Council priestess, “it is an appalling incident.” Melodia flipped her luxuriant, silvery white hair over the shoulders of her blue-black cloak. Her beautiful but aged facial features were afflicted with concern.
“Axhelius has obviously detected the Annoxonum” stated Arak, the advisor, pushing his squared glasses up his straight nose and straightening his neatly pressed, immaculate black cloak.
“Yes, but we have to know who the Annoxonum is” said Melodia.
“Chief Alfa, any ideas?” asked Arak as he brushed his black hair away form his face.
“Whoever it is; is nearby Ching.” replied Chief Alfa firmly. He abruptly stood up revealing his blotched grey cloak and said “Melodia and Arak send Raven and ask Ching about the Annoxonum, who it is.”
“Yes Chief” said Arak and Melodia in unison as they got up to leave the meeting.
***
Xia and Asra sat close, huddled together in the cave, shivering as a chill had developed in the atmosphere; this chill masked all happiness and bliss, uplifting the pain of sorrow. Ching returned after a while and gave a weak smile to the two. He twisted his hands and paced the room before turning to his daughter.
“Asra, I think you should leave…Xia needs rest” advised Ching.
“Yes father” said Asra quickly standing up, “come on Xia.”
Xia rose up and followed her mother out of the cave whispering a goodbye to Ching as she left.
“Goodbye my child…” whispered Ching as he watched their black BMW drive off.
Darkness had formed a blanket over the sky and the stars glittered like sequins on it. Taking a deep breath of the pine-scented, salubrious air, Ching watched Raven descend next to him with a roll of parchment in its beak. Ching picked up the ancient parchment and placed it on his wooden table, shoving the other paper pieces aside. He opened the wide, golden band and read the note.
Dear Ching,
As Council we have full right to know of what goes around you and Raven has recently informed us of the danger you have barely survived. We Congratulate You!
However the danger is increasing and we yet need to discover who the Annoxonum is before Axhelius can destroy the only hope for the firestone. We, hereby, give you the permission to use your powers over the potion arts and reveal the true identity of the Annoxonum.
I would advise you to send the message through Raven and ask of him to visit the ‘Eagle’s Council’ for any information on Aria and Axhelius.
Best regards,
The Head Council:
Chief Alfa
“That’s what I’m trying to find out” muttered Ching to no one in particular as he stroked Raven’s head.
***
Ching sat brewing and boiling the ingredients for concocting the ‘Annox Potion’-a rare, dignified and sacred potion which would reveal the Annoxonum.
Finally after successive hours he had prepared the potion with great difficulty. Ching poured the deep green solution consisting of blue swirls into a rounded, iridescent crystal bottle, taking immense care not to spill a drop which could hinder the enchantment.
He then took out a large crystal trough and filled it with a water-like, steaming silver solution. Adding a few crimson herbs, he poured the bottle into the trough and stepped back. The potion bubbled and frothed in the container releasing a thick pale blue smoke, which swirled around to form a circular shape in mid-air.
Ching whispered the ancient words:
“Alohoma Jivana Seri Annoxonum, Caputa Chika, Orianna Armiger!”
He then blew on the clouded shape making it tingle and sparkle with energy. Gradually a faded image formed in the cloud and Ching peered at it closely. A young, beautiful girl appeared, her features becoming sharper by the minute. A hint of recognition crossed Ching’s face as he saw the complete image of the Annoxonum. He clutched his heart and moaned. The Annoxonum is Xia, he thought miserably. With trembling hands he wrote a reply to the Council and swiftly threw it to Raven, who took off instantaneously. Ching then collapsed on his bed and closed his eyes despairingly.
***
Xia that night tossed and turned in her sleep. Her mind was deeply absorbed in a terrifying nightmare.
Xia walked gently on the short, dewy grass humming to her self along with the bird’s melody. She gazed at the sunny, cloudless blue sky and smiled with pleasure. In an instant, dark clouds enveloped the sky forming a horrific blanket of malevolence and danger. Xia’s body became alert and she scanned the forest thoroughly for she felt as if something was hiding nearby, something vindictive. She emitted a scream as a misshaped creature pounced out of the bushes and flashed its teeth at her. “Welcome,” it hissed.
Xia started shrieking, tossing in her bed as she clutched her blanket. She woke up and flipped her head, eyeing her room cautiously. Beads of cold sweat broke on the side of her face and her hands were numb with fear.
It was a bad dream, a horrible dream, she kept reassuring her self but somehow she did not feel at ease. The dream felt so real, like it happened in real life, she thought shuddering. Xia hugged her self tightly as a chill crept down her marrow and her brain throbbed violently. Xia cuddled in her blankets unable to enjoy their warmth and she stared at the moon awhile. She then closed her eyes tightly, took a deep breath and not before long, she fell into a deep, dreamless slumber.
***
Raven flew through the midnight air, silhouetting against the starless, inky black sky. Its eyes scanned the forest below for any unusual activity and it kept checking if the letter was still intact in his claws for he couldn’t risk it falling in the wrong hands. He was supposed to go to the Council but made another, essential stop. Concealing the message in a shrubbery bush, Raven flew up a stone cliff, all the while screeching to make the other eagles aware of his presence. He descended near the edge of a cave and hopped inside.
“Welcome Raven” screeched Servin, the wise, unchallenged leader. He ruffled his black feathers which gave him great importance (in the Eagle’s Council the ruffling of feathers of a leader indicated that respect was to be shown) and his white head moved around rapidly.
“Servin” answered Raven, bowing his head gently.
“Raven my dear!” cried Kerfina, Raven’s mother. She approached him and wrapped one of her glossy, brown-feathered wing ar
ound Raven. Her warm black eyes bore into Raven’s and her face reflected concern. Raven nudged his mother tenderly to show his love and also as a greeting.
“Servin, I have something important to question” said Raven, gravely.
“Kerfina come and join us” said Servin and then nodded to Raven, “yes Raven, do ask.”
“The Annoxonum has been discovered. She is Ching’s grand-daughter, Xia. However it surprises me that Aria had come to Ching before he concocted the potion and she acted as if she was aware of the Annoxonum. How could she know who the Annoxonum was?” asked Raven.
Servin’s expression grew solemn, highlighting his wearisome eyes even more than before, “Raven, Axhelius aids Aria, he must have informed her but maybe there is more witchcraft than is revealed.”
“Axhelius cannot have known the name. Aria… I saw her face when Xia appeared in front of them…she had such iniquity in her eyes…” Raven protested.
“My scouts have been reporting this Servin. Aria has been sighted to remove the brain of Axhelius and do some unholy magic. I do not understand it myself.” said Kerfina.
Servin’s expression remained grave but now the sparkle in his eyes had disappeared.
“Perhaps I can shed some light on this situation” said one of the eagles, “I have known from my forefathers that once a creature is under a powerful sorceress’s control, that witch could possess knowledge even if the creature is unaware of the information itself. Axhelius senses the Annoxonum but because he is partially blind, the face appears indistinct and he does not know the name of the person.”
“So you are saying that Aria can see pieces of facts in Axhelius’s brain even if he is unaware of it himself?” asked Raven in disbelief.
“It appears to be…” muttered Kerfina as she gazed at Raven gently.
“It is true” Servin finally said, “We all know that the Annox potion is the only magic that can reveal the Annoxonum apart form Axhelius, since it is not known to Aria the only explanation is as this noble eagle has given us. Raven did you inform the Council, yet?”
“I am on my way” replied Raven.
“Go Raven…the Head Council can handle this. Notify them that we shall increase our patrols and report if anything extraordinary occurs.” said Servin.
“Be careful…” said Kerfina anxiously.
Raven bowed, “I will.”
He then flew down the cliff, towards the shrubbery bush to retrieve the message. He was distracted by some faded glimmering in the woods. Raven’s golden eyes penetrated through the forest but there was nothing alarming. Suddenly he saw a snowy white eagle who screeched strictly to Axhelius saying ‘Flee, Aria is approaching’. Raven nodded thankfully to the eagle, grabbed the message and soared towards the Council.
Aria appeared with Axhelius adjacent to her. The snowy eagle took flight at seeing Aria.
“So Raven was here” whispered Aria sniffing the dense air. “Does the Council know that the Annoxonum is Xia?” she asked Axhelius.
“How do we know it’s really Xia?” asked Axhelius “maybe I sensed someone else, maybe her mother?”
“Axhelius I know…I know…” whispered Aria as she stared at the sky with an immoral smile plastered on her pale face.
***
At the Council…
The Council received Raven’s message and they were pondering over what do next in silence.
“So we can now understand why there was a raid at Ching’s house” said Alfa, breaking the heavy silence.
“Yes” said Melodia “The Eagle’s Council shall assist us well.”
“Very helpful especially Servin and Kerfina” stated Arak.
“Chief Alfa, I have to show you some documents I have printed from the Annox Secret Book” said Melodia standing up and walking towards Alfa, her heeled shoes clicking on the marble floor and her turquoise robe blew behind her. She placed a red file stacked with sheets on Alfa’s desk.
“Hmm…” muttered Alfa, skimming through the file “I shall read them later.” He placed the heavy folder on his desk neatly.
“So should we send trainers for the Annoxonum?” asked Arak.
“No, Ching can train her” said Melodia glancing at Arak.
“Send him a message” ordered Alfa “at once.”
“Yes Sir” said Arak as he took out a paper and wrote a short note. “Melodia, please give this to Raven. He is sitting in the lawn’s largest tree.”
Arak handed the scribbled note to Melodia, who attached it to a string and took it outside.
Chapter Seven
~Preparation~
Xia and Asra went to Ching’s cave at the crack of dawn and sat in the warm, humid chamber. Ching was sitting on his bed gravely with his chin resting in his palms and his eyes bloodshot.
“What’s wrong?” asked Xia for the fourth time, staring at Ching inquisitively for he was unusually silent.
“I have something very important to tell you” said Ching, his eyes boring into Xia’s own.
Xia lowered her gaze and asked, “What?”
“Wait for Raven to come” answered Ching abruptly, sighing gently.
Xia nodded and stared outside. Exquisite rays of light started emerging from behind the lush green hills and they spread out. The tip of the glorious sun peeped out, rising up and shedding warmth and light in abundance. Xia was mesmerized and awestruck, her dark eyes glistening with joy. She then spotted Raven, high above in the sky as it spread its large, magnificent wings. Glancing at Xia, it gave a joyful screech and flapped its wings, landing gracefully in the cave. Raven hopped towards Ching at gave him a rolled up piece of parchment. Ching sighed as he read the note and he kept it in the drawer.
Asra was now standing up and eyeing Ching with frustration and anxiety, “Now since Raven has arrived you can tell us what you wanted to” she said.
“Yes” he said sighing.
Xia groaned quietly, I guess it’s a habit of old people to sigh.
“Now Xia and Asra please take a seat on those cushions” said Ching pointing at the fluffy cushions besides his now clear table.
How formal, thought Xia sarcastically, he could have said ‘it would be my pleasure if you were seated on those cushions for my contentment is in your comfort’.
When Xia and Asra sat down, Ching sighed yet once again.
“Would you quit sighing and tell us already!” exclaimed Xia, impatiently.
Again Ching gave her that penetrating gaze causing Xia to shift her eyes to Raven.
“Asra, Xia…Xia is the Annoxonum” stated Ching, his voice shaking slightly.
“WHAT??” Xia and Asra exclaimed in unison.
“Yes” he whispered.
“NO! No…no…” wailed Asra, “why her, why?”
Xia broke out of her trance and said “Hey Mom, I’m not sad”
“I know Xia, why would you be sad. He was also so thrilled to be one, thought he was prominent, but how did he end…in the worst way. He left me, left me with a helpless baby to survive alone…” moaned Asra painfully.
“What does she mean?” questioned Xia for they had just told her he died in battle, “He didn’t die on purpose.”
“Xia, honey, let me explain” said Ching as he glanced at Asra hidden under a wave of successive sobs, “An Annoxonum passes through many critical stages in their lives…most of them have usually died in battle.”
“Like my father?” asked Xia, her heart aching.
“Yes” Ching said without any trace of emotion, “Your father.”
“She won’t go father, She won’t!” exclaimed Asra angrily “I’ll stop her!”
“Mom…I want to be one, I have always wanted adventure and I finally am getting it” said Xia.
“Fine then you can be separated, I can’t handle any more loss” snapped Asra, standing up abruptly.
Xia’s eyes widened in aggravation, her expression changing to irritability and then into anxiety, “Mom! What is wrong with you?”
“Go away! Never c
ome back!” screamed Asra with tears streaming down her face and her fists balled tightly.
“Stop this Asra. Now!” exclaimed Ching sternly “It’s not Xia’s fault she was chosen…it is her fate!”
“Yeah Mom, it’s not like I’m going to die in battle” said Xia.
Asra glanced at Ching and at Xia before her shoulders slumped in defeat and she thumped down on the cushions with a heavy heart. Putting her hands on her shoulder, Ching said “Support her Asra, it is necessary.”
Breathing in sharply, Asra nodded and then hugged her father. Xia joined in the group hug followed by Raven, who merely rubbed his head against Xia’s black pants.
“It will be alright” said Ching hopefully gazing at Xia “your training starts tomorrow young lady as per the Council Orders.”
Xia nodded and then they both left to go home and sleep their worries away. Ching stared after their departing figures and then looked at Raven.
“It went quite well, didn’t it” he said.
Raven screeched in response which made Ching laugh gently.
“I think we both need some rest” he said, walking towards the couch and falling into a deep sleep.
***
“She has been informed” said Jalia, Aria’s most trusted sprite servant, bowing down.
“Stand up Jalia” ordered Aria while seated on the silver throne.
Jalia stood up with poise. Her long, blonde hair blew gently in the breeze fanning her face. Her large, liquid green eyes were shining in awe and respect while her light blue, shiny wings came to a rest besides the thin cherry-pink silk she was clothed in.
“Jalia inform Axhelius, tell him to send a few capable spies” ordered Aria “there should be no attack…I require the Annoxonum for other plans.”
“Yes my lady” said Jalia bowing slightly. She rose to the sky flapping her wings gracefully, which glinted in the sunshine. Accelerating forward, she disappeared. Aria shielded her eyes form the sun’s cruel glare and moved to a shady location. Touching her forehead with her index finger, Aria muttered a few words as a result of which an orb appeared before her, showing Xia sleeping soundly. Annoxonum you are only peacefully sleeping for now, thought Aria, her lips curling into a wicked smile.