TBC: Chapter Thirteen
Silence fell as night spread across Yevani. The hearts and minds within the city rested soundly, except for that of a few. Deep in the back halls of the Temple of Kya, Malik paced the floor of the Thesarei with the Libran out before him—his face twisted in concentration, his mutters inaudible.
Syam entered the Thesarei with a rushed curiosity, followed quickly by Nyhra. He and Nyhra gave the star wizard a quick bow.
"Master Jabari stated that new information has appeared in the Libran," Syam said.
"It is a revolving prophecy," Malik answered.
"A revolving prophecy?" questioned Nyhra.
"The Libran generally grants knowledge in fact form. It records what has occurred and any knowledge gained during a warrior's assignment. For example, the names of new warriors or events that have transpired are generally what appears in the book, as you know. A prophecy appears if the likelihood of an event has enough momentum in favor of something manifesting. By the time a prophecy appears in the Libran, it will most always occur because the only thing preventing it would take an opposing force of equal momentum." Malik looked at the Faborn runes on the page before him and frowned. "But this—a revolving prophecy—has only occurred one other time…Just before Nemerus's rise to power and the resulting war."
"How does a revolving prophecy differ from other prophecies?" Nyhra asked.
"Any prophecy that has the potential to alter events in a significantly negative way is only revealed if there is a way to alter part or all of the outcome," Malik replied.
"Of course," answered Syam. "Otherwise, why reveal it?"
"Yes, there would be no point to evoke awareness or alarm," Nyhra said. "I understand."
"Unlike a high momentum-based prophecy, a revolving prophecy is revealed in a way that warns of a probable result that could be changed if alternative action is taken beforehand. So, the outcome is revolving until enough energy has gathered momentum toward a particular outcome."
"Go on," Nyhra said.
"The runes of a revolving prophecy appear in blue," Malik continued. "When the prophecy has been set or is occurring in present time, the letters fade to red and there is no undoing the circumstances."
"What does the prophecy claim, Sir Malik," Syam stated.
"Faith weakens among the light. A warrior's passion grants power to freedom, yet blood exchanged for freedom binds the will of heart. In forced action, darkness bleeds and light is consumed until fire shall rise."
"Any idea of the meaning?"
"Only in general. The first part is most obvious—that a warrior's faith in something will weaken. My intuition tells me that the second part has something to do with the new masters, but I do not know beyond that as of yet." Malik looked at the script before him in irritation. "The meaning of the prophecy is only one reason why I called you here." He placed the open book down on the table between him and the elder masters and pushed it toward the other two. "It is where the prophecy comes from that has captured my attention most."
Syam studied the script for several moments. "Why does this matter?"
"I created the Libran for the Alliance of Fabor long ago so that there would be a systematic record of information if ever any in the Alliance needed to review the happenings of the Order. The idea for it came to me in a dream. I enchanted the book so that all entries would be marked by the source of the information," Malik explained. "So, the Libran always displays its entry with the mark of where the information is coming from. The signature of the warriors is, of course, the Lumsigne."
Malik grabbed the book and flipped several pages back. "When information comes from me, it is marked by the Mark of the Mysteis."
Malik turned over another large portion of the pages. "When knowledge is gathered from the actions of our allies from Suál or Tridaun, it is marked by the symbol for the Keys of Alendrial, as it is here."
He flipped the pages of the Libran back to their original position.
Nyhra's expression turned stony as Malik pointed to the symbol below the revolving prophecy.
"The Mark of the High Priestesses," she said.
"They are responsible for the prophecy," Malik stated.
Nyhra looked up into Malik's silver-blue gaze. "What is it that you wish me to do?"
"If I am unable to gain clarity on the prophecy, I will need you to try and communicate with Affera."
Nyhra sighed. "I have done all I could to shut out her voice."
"I know," Malik stated softly. "Consider it a favor to me—for the Order. The priestesses only interfere when the course of probable events will create imbalance across the whole of Elsaria."
"She has always interfered when it comes to me."
Malik smirked. "I believe, Elder Master, that's what mothers are for."
***