Chapter Eight, 'Sprites of Sickle Ear lake; conclusion'

"This was Cavel's shrine. Kron cursed it to corrupt him."

Alicea rose and turned to Endiel. The Naiad was concerned about her spouse. Aurou had explained a great deal about the connection between Nix and Naiads; they were not simply the greatest water sprites, they were also an embodiment of beauty and sex. It was uncommon to find Naiads that were unattached, but it was quite rare for a wisp to have any attachment. On a world of this size there may only be a few dozen Wisps, so to have one bound to this place was a matter of some significance.

Alicea readied her axes, and placed blessings and runes about the shrine before she even began the ritual to cleanse it. A Wisp would be more powerful than any other sprite she'd encountered. If Cavel could not be soothed than she would likely be forced to destroy him. She had no doubt that if the curse had been laid as long ago as Endiel had suggested, some five or six years prior, than he would likely have fallen to Wraithhood by now. And what was worse was that should she destroy him it would almost certainly enrage Endiel to the point of Nixhood, so she to would have to be destroyed. The fate of the whole region would likely rest on her ability to complete this task.

{calm servant, the oil must be filled and the fire lit. Incant the rhyme, and all shall be well, in due time.}
Alicea had heard the voice before. The spirit of the light had always seemed to favor her. Its guidance, as her father had told her many times, was never false; though its meanings were not always clear.

She stepped up to the shrine and cast a cleansing spell on the basin in its center to remove the tainted oils. She then produced a small flask of oil; Svalia had produced it from the roots of a fallen oak deep in the forest. She began to recite the hymn of pure skies that had been taught to her when she was four. It was beautiful, she preferred to sing it but the occasion called for recitation. Alicea poured the oil into the basin and placed the now empty bowl outside of the shrine. Then she brought her hands together before herself and cast a spark of flame above the basin. A small fire began to burn, hovering above the oil, consuming only the vapors but its strength never weakening.

A rush of wind came from the north. A storm cloud now settled over the little island in the lake. The sprite of the air had returned to his shrine.
"Feral whelp, why do you summon the mighty Cavel, ruler of the Gascan sky?"
"To remind you of your duties, and your freedom."
"Insolence"
"To whom are you answerable, sprite of storm?"
"The great one, he who was, is, and has yet to come."
"Then why do you betray his trust and aid the warlock of the shadowed tower?"
"He has bound me, I must serve."

Alicea struck the bowl with a bolt of light, "You are the air, the wind knows no binding. Who has need of you?"
"None, the wind is a passing fancy."
"Yet it returns ever to that which takes delight in it. You have a wife and children who have sought your safe return. Why does the wind howl?"
"Because it is alone."
"Be not alone, for wind's companion is the earth. Your wife's sister wandered alone for loss of you. Abandon not your friends for they have not abandoned you. Be at peace, Wisp of Gasca, for the darkness of your heart is the passing fancy. The light is your master; and it never forsakes its servants."

The storm faded, Alicea could see Cavel as he was. No less powerful than the storm, yet calm and graceful. She could see wisdom in his eyes, and his heart was full of sorrow for his folly.
"Fogive me Endiel, I have not been as I ought."
"Cavel, your task is not yet over," Alicea had seen what must be done. The light did not forsake its servants, nor did it neglect their needs. "The Sickle Ear clan is without a shaman. You have not been called back to idly wait a later task; it is upon you now. Wisdom has returned to you that you, who Kron trusted with his secrets most, might train his successor. Svalia will find a willing student, Endiel shall bear him to this isle, but it is you who must teach him to lead his people. I have seen them; they are like a herd unguided. They will not raise a paw to help themselves until someone shows them the way."

Cavel gazed across the lake, into the forest about it. He pondered her words, and she could see that the darkness had scared him. "If the light has indeed guided you to redeem me, then It may also have spoken to you. I shall heed your words bonesteel of the Howling Axe clan."

Endiel stepped up beside her husband, "Stay as long as you wish child. When you part you shall go with the blessing of the sprites."
So Alicea stayed awhile, and listened to tales of the happenings of the region from Cavel, the Wisp. She rested under the starlight of Sickle Moon lake. For she saw that soon the moonlight would grow strong, and her nights would be restless.