Chapter 2

The Celebration of Storms

The evening comes upon Crescent Ridge as the village comes alive with the sounds of music beginning to billow out from the main street of the town.

Villagers start to crowd the street as they cheer and sing with the bands.

Uriah is found by his mother sitting in his room quietly getting ready for the night's festivities. "Hello son"She says as she sits down next to him.

"Hey ma, what can I do for you?"He smiles back to her as he ties his boots.

"Well it is your birthday son, and since this is the year that you will be able to take your Pilgrimage, I made you something. Wait right here.''She says as she gets back up and leaves the room for a moment only to return with a tunic that had been tightly folded with the utmost care. "I expected that you would need a new tunic when you decide to go on your journey and I wouldn't have it made by anyone but myself."she smiles as she gives it to him.

"Thanks ma"He says as he slowly unfolds the tunic. He holds it up for a moment and admires its finely crafted details. The royal blue fabric felt soft and breathable while the yellow strands of fabric that bordered its edges were strong and flexible.

"Well dear put it on!"She says as she looks onto him with a hint of pride and motherly sorrow.

Uriah puts the tunic on over his underclothes and buckles the finely crafted belt that had also been detailed with intricate patterns and a expertly forged buckle."Your father chipped in with the leather work and the metal components- Oh!"She exclaimed"I nearly forgot the last piece"

She reaches behind her and brings out a small yet ornately crafted box."This is for you as well."She hands the box to him."That is from Sir Robert. He says it will protect you on your journey, he said it saved his neck a few times in the war but then went on one of his other old stories and never finished telling me how it did so."

Uriah looks down to the box inquisitively and opens it to reveal a small silver necklace with a blue gem hanging from it."Is this?"Uriah pauses for a moment thinking about the dream he has that morning before shaking his head.``Never mind uh, It's fantastic Ma! All of it, thank you. "He gives her a warm hug before she takes the necklace and places it gently around his neck .

"You`re most welcome sweetie, now go have fun and enjoy the festivities. I hear some of the folks that planned the celebration even have something planned for you as well. It does pay to have an aunt that runs the festival does it not. "She says with a laugh before shooing him out the door."

"Thanks again Ma"He says as he leaves the house and heads down the street towards the main area of the festival.

Uriah walks down the street deep in thought as he looks down at the gem hanging from his neck and admires its intricately carved silver housing and chain. Even among the finest silver smiths of the town he had not ever seen a silver that shined so bright nor a gem that seemed to vaguely have somewhat of an otherworldly glow to it."What could this even mean?''He thinks to himself as he walks. So deep in thought was he that he didn't notice Steven as he rounded the corner, colliding into him, they both tumbled to the ground."

"Blast it Uriah , you nearly killed me!''He says as he stumbles to his feet before reaching out a hand to him as well.

"Sorry Steven, Wait a second. Nearly killed you? Come on now even you have got to think that is an exaggeration?"He says as he wipes the dust from his tunic.

"I guess it may have been a slight exaggeration but seriously, you are normally not that clumsy ,is everything alright?"

"Yea everything is fine, its just I had this weird dream earlier this morning and,"He holds up the necklace."This was in it, yet I had never seen this thing until just a moment ago when Ma gave it to me."

"That is strange ."He looks at the necklace inspecting the small carvings and symbols upon it."Hmm interesting, the designs on it are pre-kingdom Vecorian, possibly early Elorian dynasty would be my guess, but it could perhaps predate even that."He says with a sparkle in his eye at the mystery in front of him."You said you had a dream? Was there anything else of note to the dream?"

"You could say there was."He proceeds to explain his dream to Steven, telling him about the figure in the fire and of the two beasts that battled over the ocean.

"That was quite the dream of Uriah. I can't say I can interpret dreams or that it even means anything at all but I can go look in some of Master Gracen`s books and see if I find any accounts of this Dweller Beneath, that the voice spoke of."

"Oh come on Steven you can't miss out on the celebrations to dig in some dusty old book just because I had a weird dream this morning. I can't let you do that."

"Let me do it? I`ll have you know I love digging through 'dusty old books' as you call them ''He says with a laugh."Besides you know I don't do well at parties. I always end up just sitting at a table twiddling my thumbs. Remember at the school dance last spring? not a single one of the girls even thought twice about looking my way."

Uriah sighs"That's because they can smell fear Steven. You just need to build up the courage to talk to them."

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"Oh like you built up the courage to ask Lucy to the ceremony tonight, hmm."He cuts his eyes to him.

"Hey watch it now I was just about to ask when Ma called me back home. Besides I`ll see her tonight anyway so it doesn't matter that I asked or not, she was coming anyway."He says stumbling over his words for a moment."

"Whatever you say Uriah , either way I'll go check on that dream of yours for you, meanwhile I would highly suggest you get a move on, I saw Lucy waiting for you by the stalls in the town square."Steven says before taking his leave with a nod.

Uriah continues through the town passing by a multitude of stalls, some selling small trinkets, a huge line gathers at a stall filled to the brim with fireworks while other stalls are selling delicious looking foods, of which their aroma filled the air . The smells of the food and the music from the bands permeated the mood of the night and made it thick with a feeling of merriment and joy.

Uriah passes by a family as he sees a father and son playing a ring toss game, The father tosses one of the rings in the air and it circles around a standing bottle before finding its mark and spinning around the base of the bottle, much to the cheers of the man's son.

Uriah continues on to the middle of the square where a large area has been cleared for use as a dance floor. Filling the area were a large group of dancers all swinging and spinning in tune with the music as it comes to a crescendo, the dancers all raise their hands at the last note of the song and they take a bow.

As the Band starts to play their next number Uriah looks through the crowd and sees Lucy standing in the middle of the dance floor.He merely stood in awe for a moment as he admires her, she was wearing a stunning red and green dress that had long flowing sleeves and a dress that seemed to flow like the waves of the ocean with every spin. As the current song began to pick up speed Uriah loses Lucy in the crowd, he glances around trying to find her again but is pulled around as he feels a gentle yet swift tug to his hand.

"Care to dance?"Lucy says to him with a gentle smile as her brown eyes shone bright in the glow of the torches surrounding them.

Uriah responds with a simple nod and a bow as he takes her hand and they begin to dance. The song becomes swift as the dance floor again comes alive with Uriah leading Lucy around in large swooping motions. His heart pounding in tune with the rhythm of the song. They pass between the other dancers like seagulls flying between the mast of ships on the sea.

"You have been practicing."Lucy says with a smile.

"Only a little."Uriah winks at her."Ready?"

"Always!" Uriah leads Lucy into a spin as she feels the air whispering through her hair while it flows around her.He swiftly pulls her back to him in a reverse of the motion as she leaps into his arms and he catches her.

As they two dance, Uriah`s parents stand at a nearby stall watching them.

"He has grown up so fast. Why? It feels like just yesterday the boy was trying to use my hammer as a chew toy."His father laughs."I must say my sweet he got your dancing ability.

"And your charm it seems."His mother smiles."I need to tell you something Reamus."She pauses hesitantly."I gave Uriah the necklace.

"You did what?"He looks to her in surprise." Lo-Vellah that necklace is the only thing that protects you. Without it who knows what could-"

"And with out Uriah having it, the very same thing you are worried about could happen to him."She interrupts him before taking his hands and looking deep into his eyes."I have you to protect me Reamus, but Uriah is reaching an age where we alone won't be able to protect him much longer. His pilgrimage will be here before we know it, and I would much rather he be hidden from those that would seek the power he has, then hide my self only to lose him."

"Always the one to be looking towards the future you are."He sighs."Has he started showing any signs yet?"

"No outward signs yet, but I can since his powers are growing within him."She looks out towards the sea for a moment."And if I can , so can others. Carisa said that a few of the sailors have reported a strange ship in our waters."

"Robert mentioned something along those lines also."

"Strange things have been happening Reamus, Ever since Professor Gracen disappeared it's as if the old magic of the island has been awakening, some of the travelers from other settlements have even reported beams of light shining from some of the surrounding islands."She sits down at a nearby table as a look of concern covers her face."I feel a storm coming, and not of the kind that we celebrate not of rain and thunder but of fire and shadow."

"Hold still my dear."Reamus sits next to her."We are a strong family and Uriah has all of our best qualities and none of our worst, I would say he can more than weather any storm that is coming."He places a hand on her cheek and gives her a gentle kiss."

As the song comes to an end Uriah and Lucy come to a halt at the edge of the dance floor, both partially out of breath and their clothes not quite as kept as before the dance.

"That sure was fun! Why didn't you tell me you could dance"She says to him with a swift knock to his shoulder"The nerve of you hiding something like that from me."

"Well the subject never came up I guess."Uriah rubs his shoulder."Besides you never asked so whose fault is that?"he laughs.

"I guess you're right."She smiles at him and looks out to the beach."Want to take a walk?"

"It would be my pleasure."He takes her by the hand and they leave the busy town square and head down to the beach.

Waves crash gently on the shore of the island as the moonless night cast a dark shadow over the ocean, with only the light of the nearby town and the stars illuminating the beach.As Uriah and Lucy reach the sand they kick off their shows and begin to walk down the beach running their feet through the cool sand.

"Have you ever thought about leaving the island Uriah?"Lucy says as she steps into the shallow water at the edge of the beach, the waves washing her feet as they ebb and flow.

"I guess maybe once or twice. Why?"Uriah says as he stands next to her.

"I just sometimes think about the world beyond these islands. The land of Vecor or even the realm of the elves. Father told me all kinds of stories about them. He told me that the Vecorian capital has an Organ that their castle is built around. or the Elven city that is made of pure gold and shines like the sun. Or even the great waterfall of the people of Besria. I want to go see them all."She stares longingly out over the waters."This island is just too plain. All it is, is rock, sand, and grass. There is just so much out there you know?"

"I suppose you're right Lucy."He looks down and slowly takes her hand as she turns to face him."But I wouldn't go on such a journey alone. You would need a faithful traveling companion now wouldn't you."He smiles at her.

"I-I suppose so."She stutters slightly."But who would I find to come with me?"She says as she leans in a little closer to him

"I think I may know someone."Uriah says as he leans in closer to her.

As he leans in a sudden ear splitting sound bellows out over the ocean followed by thundering booms. Suddenly the sky explodes in brilliant burst of light as fire works start exploding in the sky above.

They stair on in amazement as the sights above them fill the skies with a multitude of colors and shapes.

In the array of explosions a strange feeling of dread fills Uriah`s mind as another blast rings out, this time from behind the two young people, out from the waters of crescent bay.

Looking back towards the water Uriah sees a barrage of fire exploding just above the surface of the water, the fire illuminating the silhouette of a massive ship.

The air suddenly filled with the whistling of cannon fire. They both stumble back covering their ears as the outlying structures of the village are bombarded by explosions.

"Pirates!"Uriah shouts."Get to the village!"He grabs Lucy`s hand and they sprint back towards the village.