Chapter 20 The Prophetess of Nix

The three lads from Etonville enter the cave of the prophetess.  Reaching the darkness, King Jason transforms into a human to hold Prince Dracon’s quivering hand. Homer was awestruck with Ishtar’s beautiful face to see her raise an eyebrow and look away. Alaric draws himself to the infant Layla to tickle her. Princess Ophelia and Nix cease their embroidery to gaze upon the travelers. Dracon greets the prophetess and asks on behalf of his friends omens of the future.  The Prophetess mixes her potion and stirs the bubbly water in a large cauldron to gaze into the mist.

“I have been expecting you, Dracon, since your cousin Dyna brought you here as a babe. You future is still clear to me. It has not changed. You understand now why Hadrian can not solve all your father’s problems. Your father hides with us because it is better to be alive to fight another day than be a martyr and leave you defenseless in the clutches of your wicked mother. Do not worry, his happiest days on earth are the ones he was not king. Naturally, your father will have the last laugh concerning his conflict with his wife. An unnatural death will bring you to power and you search out you half-brother. I see your ambition to reclaim what has been taken from your ancestors.  Not all your plans will come to fold, but your name will be loved for many generations. A great king you shall be, dear Dracon. Tomorrow I will cast an omen for Homer who has been looking at my daughter Ishtar.” Nervous, Homer leaves the cave.

“What troubles you Homer?” asks The Hermit. Homer confesses his delight in gazing upon Ishtar’s beauty. “Calm yourself, nervous suitor, you have not been rejected. You would know if you were.”

Homer takes a deep breathe.

“Do you think I have a chance with Ishtar?” inquires Homer.

“Ishtar is very charming and very sharp. She will let you know.” answers The Hermit.

Grand Prince Dracon and Alaric rise to the surface to tease Homer about Ishtar. Taunting how a goddess would never love a merchant’s son, Homer grew fearful of meeting Ishtar the next day.  Ophelia entertains the lads with stories about riding unicorns and meeting Enki. She warns of finding a unicorn, men often find them too enchanting to part from. The lads return to the cave the next morning to hear the omen for Homer. The Prophetess stirs her potion again to gaze in the mist.

“Homer, I see you marrying my daughter, but do not become a god. Your dream of becoming a hero will come in time with the help of your followers. The sea is your future and your destiny. Much like Alaric the Great, you are loved and hated. Do not fear his fate, a great warrior you shall be, dear Homer. Tomorrow I will cast Valnar’s omen.”

Dracon turns to his peasant friend.

“Valnar?"

Valnar smirks at his royal friend. The lads leave the cave again to play with Eurick, Jason, and Ophelia. Homer proves he is a great warrior swinging his sword at Eurick. Bursting in laughter, Eurick encourages the brave lad into fighting towards the river. Tripping on stones, the brave lad yields to the great darman. The lads meet the gods Laeos and Aelous visiting their father. They bring news of faraway places and intrigued the lads from Etonville. Ishtar and Cassandra come to the surface to listen to their uncles tell wild tales of out yonder. Nix and Lilia come out. Ishtar and Cassandra showed the lads the secrets to the Haunted Forest so many fear. Ishtar is reserved with Homer until he gives her a flower blossom from the meadow.  She smiles and grabs the upside down flower to sniff the blossom.  Realizing his error, Homer blushes to feel Ishtar tap his cheek with a tender word of gratitude. She was much friendlier after that.  Valnar returns the next day to the cave of the prophetess to hear his forecast. Again Lilia stirs her omen potion and gazes into the mist. The boys sit listening next to the little goddesses. Lilia gasps before revealing what she saw in the potion.

“A great loss you have suffered, dear lad. Your father’s blood on your lord’s hands is your mission. Be careful, sweet Valnar, your enemy is powerful and great repercussions will be felt after you avenge your father. Your friend Dracon can not always protect you from his scorned cousin’s wrath. Be sure you know what will come when you take another’s life. Dracon’s cousin will not be as forgiving.  A beautiful woman I see in your future, and noble. Caution is warranted before courting another runaway, her father is vengeful too.  Your fears of an uncertain future need not be justified as trivial. I am certain a long free life you shall have. Dracon assures it with his pouch.”

Valnar turns to his royal friend.

“You will buy my freedom from your uncle. I am indebted to you, friend.”

“I haven’t yet, Valnar. You need not indebt yourself to me now. My uncle has yet to find you.” replies Dracon.

“I know that. I meant in the future, Dracon. And stop calling me Valnar.” responds Valnar.

“Alright, Alaric.” assures Dracon.

The lads resurface and ponder all the omens. The Hermit packs food and blankets for them to carry home to Etonville. They bid farewell to their hosts and follow Princess Ophelia guiding them home. Jason the wolf, tails along and listens to his son recite about his life in the temple. They pass many creatures and mucky rivers. They spend the night looking down the river towards the sea as mermaids swim about in the twilight. They walk up the river back home to
Etonville and are welcomed by the High Priestess Dyna. Dracon confides his wolf companion is his father and plans to search for his half-brother. He sends a message to Princess Tatiana announcing his impending visit. Dyna sends another message to tell Queen Jopria her son shall arrive in Illium with her daughter Ophelia. The wind god Aelous delivers the message to Her Majesty upon her dressing table and disappears before any servant spies him.

Homer returns home to request to be apprenticed to The Hermit as Princess Ophelia has done. Reluctant at his son’s rejecting the family business for crazy adventures, he agrees to allow the eager lad to leave home for one year hoping he would later change his mind.  The peasant Alaric discovers his innkeeper is ill and leaves the lad his inn for he has no children. He walks to the temple to beg for advice from Dyna. She welcomes him into the temple quarters and begins educating the peasant. He proudly shows his writing samples to his mother when she comes after her village was raided and burned.  Many peasants fled and Alaric need not worry over being caught by Dracon’s uncle. The woman helps Alaric run the inn. Soon Ophelia, Jason, and Dracon set off to visit the estate of Princess Tatiana in
Sarai.

The End.