Nocsaal rose slowly from the writhing mass of serpents, which lay across his entire lair like a living carpet. A multitude of scales reflecting the brazier’s dim light, casting eerie shadows all around. His eyes glowing pale green as he floated menacingly towards a stone platform in the centre of the vast cavern.
“I have awoken!” His voice resonated through the underground passageways, shaking the ancient rock walls. Stalactites broke loose from their ancient bindings, before landing upon the writhing mass beneath and being carried away like a ship on a scaly sea.
Nocsaal began to laugh, a deep guttural sound that chilled Nyeel to the bone. Fear broke her concentration, and the image became misty for a brief moment, before disappearing completely. The surface of the crystal ball once again merely reflected the candlelight and the grim decorations within the small wagon around her.
Nyeel gathered her flowing dress with both hands, before dancing happily outside into the cool evening air. She was too young to understand the significance of her visions, and had yet to discover that what she saw was reality, not just images of fantasy created by her own imagination. Soon it would be her 9th birthday, it was not common that gypsy folk who had the gift could draw visions before the age of 20, but Nyeel had seen that which others cannot since birth.
Growing up as a gypsy had offered her freedom which many other children born to townsfolk in Britannia could not dream of. Her home was a wagon, shared with only her father since her mother had died during childbirth. This had affected her father deeply, and his attitude towards Nyeel has always hinted at an inner resentment. She had relied on the kindness of other gypsy families that they travelled with to bring her up correctly, and in particular Volmaa, who at 87 was one of the oldest members of their group. Volmaa found Nyeel playing alone in a thicket close to their temporary camp.
“Hello there Nyeel” She spoke with a soft kindness, she loved Nyeel as if she was her own, the daughter she never had.
“Volmaa!” Nyeel rushed up, dusted her skirt off and embraced the old lady tightly around the waist.
“Come to my wagon Nyeel, I shall prepare a warm drink for you.”
The two gypsies sat down, the wagon was always warm, and richly decorated with shining trinkets and rare oddities collected during years of travel.
”I have brought you here for a reason” Volmaa said as she poured some liquid into a wooden bowl, before handing it to Nyeel who was perched on a small stool nearby.
“Have you been having any more day-dreams?”
Nyeel nodded, glancing at the crystal ball which sat on a small table nearby.
“Of the snake man?”
Nyeel nodded again, showing a brave face despite the fear this subject brought to her.
“Do not be afraid” Said Volmaa, placing a hand upon the young child’s knee. “It is a gift, not something to be afraid of. In fact, I too have dreamed of this man.”
“You have!” Cried Nyeel, delighted at the news.
“Aye, and he has spoken to me directly. He has told me that he will present a trial, a challenge, to the people of Britannia.”
Nyeel sat upright, excitedly listening to the story.
”Ah sweet child, I’m afraid I only have a small message to convey, I was told but one sentence..” Volmaa smiled.
“The journey shall begin in a town of fighters, deeper still, within the house of the dead, a body shall reveal the beginning, a mind shall reveal the end.”
“I will take this information to those who need it Nyeel, but if this man does come to you in your dreams, do not fear him, for fear doth feed his powers”.
Nyeel nodded, still smiling. It was such a relief that Volmaa had seen him, people would listen to her stories and take heed of the words she reveals. The old lady motioned for Nyeel to leave her now, as she began to scribe the message given unto her. Volmaa smiled a toothy grin as Nyeel left, but as soon as the door was closed, a grim look passed over her. She already knew too much.
Nocsaal had awoken.
The story is from http://www.uo-europe.com/
Legends
