Waters of Viewing, Negrazul Mountains
Master Zuc stared at the gently swirling Waters of Viewing and thought about what would happen in a few short days. Time had finally caught up to them. He had watched with worry as the four newest apprentices had trained with their teachers. They had made remarkable progress but he feared it would not be enough for the trials ahead of them.
"Master Zuc, the Elemental Seekers have gathered as you requested."
"Thank you, Jelena."
"You must really be concerned about our future."
He glanced up and regarded her in surprise. "Why do you say that?"
"You didn't remind me to call you by your first name."
He blinked and laughed but it sounded strained even to his own ears. "Bring the others in."
Jelena bowed and left, returning a few minutes later with Mistresses Belena, Telena, Yelena and Melena. They each took their place around the Waters of Viewing before looking to him. Jelena glided over and came to stand beside him.
"My fellow Elements, the time that we have dreaded is nearly upon us. You have done well to prepare them. The rest they must learn for themselves. Is everything ready at Refugio?"
"Everything has been done as ordered," Mistress Belena reported.
"And the other citadels? Have they been alerted, Mistress Melena?"
"Yes. They are sending out their own people to guard the paths the chosen must tread."
"This is good. Mistress Yelena, any news from the palace?"
"Yes. Celena returned and the report was not a good one. It was as our allies had warned us. There is secret feuding among the noble houses. There are too many factions for us to see who will make their move first."
"I cannot see the path any longer. The waters of fate are clouded," Mistress Telena added.
"I, too, cannot see." Rey pointed at the Waters of Viewing. "Fate has hidden itself from us. We shall continue with our plan. We will relocate the girls in a few days and then send them with their escorts to the other citadels. Agreed?"
All the women murmured assent and Rey nodded. "It is decided then. May the First Ones and the Elements protect."
The women murmured the blessing and departed leaving Rey and Jelena alone.
"Master Zuc, I...,"
He turned to her and cupped her face in his hands. "You don't have to say it. I already know. Thank you, Jelena, for always being by my side. Now, go. I need to rest."
Unhappily, she stepped out of his way. "As you wish, Master Zuc."
"Rey."
"What?"
"Say my name, Jelena. Please."
"As you wish, Rey."
"See, not so hard to do." He bowed and left without another word.
***
Inner Sanctum, Negrazul Mountains
Alea fidgeted and wondered for the tenth time why they had been called to this place so late at night. She hated to admit it, but she'd had fun with the other girls. She was surprised, along with the rest, when Master Zuc called a feast to celebrate their accomplishments. Unused to such praise, she'd kept to herself for most of the dinner before sneaking off to sleep. But even her dreams had been determined to keep her unsettled. She'd woken from them covered in sweat and staring up into Mistress Telena's concerned eyes.
And now she was here, back to the place where she had first met Marisa, Tamara and Jazmine. They were once again standing in the spots where they had arrived, with the pillar of their element behind them. They, too, were rubbing sleep from their eyes. Their teachers stood silently by the pillars, watchful eyes on everyone in the room.
They all looked up when they heard footfalls coming from the corridor. Master Zuc entered and smiled gently at them.
"I apologize, Apprentices, for rousing you from your beds so late, but this is the last thing you have to do tonight, and then you can sleep."
He walked over to the Elemental Harmonic Stone and touched it gently. "When you first came here, this was the site of your birth as future Elemental Seekers. This stone," he tapped it, "accepted your potential and allowed you entrance. Now you must, once again, receive its blessing so that you can continue to gain knowledge and power. Please, come closer."
The first to reach him and the stone was Alea, followed by Tamara, Marisa, and lastly Jazmine.
"Please place your hands on the stone."
They did, and the large, clear stone began to glow with a soft white light. Alea felt a tingle underneath her fingers. It was the same as that first day.
"When your teacher speaks the words of your Element, send a little of your power into the stone," Master Zuc explained as he stepped away.
Mistress Belena went first, her serene words filling the room.
"We are Earth, keeper of life. Twining with life's threads, we are the light that holds all together."
Tamara began to glow green, and then, with a pulse of brightness, the green snaked down her arm and into the stone.
"We are Fire, Keeper of heart's passion. Gluing life's threads, we are the heat that warms and draws all close," Mistress Melena's husky voice smoldered with intensity.
Marisa's grin was bright as the orange of her power traveled the length of her arm, sparked, and leaped into the stone.
Mistress Yelena's lilting soprano voice sang out next.
"We are Air, keeper of life's breath. Blowing through and around life's threads, we are the strength that stops all pain and gives love to all."
A breeze blew through the room, making Jazmine's hair sway as gray threads wove around her arm and plunged into the stone.
Alea waited patiently as Mistress Telena spoke.
"We are water, keeper of dreams. Cleansing life's threads, we are the hope that rises above despair and brings triumph to all."
The siren call of the water filled Alea, and she watched as the blue tendrils of water dripped, swirled, and rolled down her hand and into the stone. She stared in fascination as the white of the stone was twined with the blue, green, orange, and gray of their powers. The brightness of the stone increased until it was unbearable to look at, and she shut her eyes. A humming filled the room and was gone as suddenly as it began.
"You can open your eyes, Apprentice."
She glanced back at Mistress Telena and around. They were the only ones in the room. Where had everyone gone?
"Mistress Telena?"
"You did well. Go to bed. Your dreams will be calm now."
She didn't bother to ask any questions. Her teacher wouldn't answer them anyway. With a cheeky salute, she did as ordered. A nosy thief didn't live long if they pried where not wanted.