Ripples in Time

Since Bascilla was just a wee lass, she would sneak to the babbling brook near her hut and sit for hours gazing at the flowing water, mesmerized by the ripples moving down the stream.

“I see patterns, and they tell me things about the world,” she would tell her mother. An Elfling did not dismiss such childish nonsense as humans did.

“You have a gift, my love, as many of the Huldrefolk do. Do not feel frightened by it. Embrace it as you do me before bedtime,” wisely counseled her mother.

Over the years, the girl grew to understand that each ripple was part of a great dance in time, and with patience, the viewer could see the entire ballet.

On her fiftieth birthday, the young woman sat gazing at the brook as she had done thousands of times before when suddenly the water flowed backward, swirled into a vortex, and then resumed its motion downstream.

“By the gods, what is this sign I have been given? I must seek the marsh wizard. She will know how to interpret this omen,” cried Bascilla.

The Elfling kept seeing an image of the vortex, making her frantic when she reached Fern’s home.

“Oh, mistress Fern, I have seen a horrid vision in the stream; please help me understand it,” she sobbed.

After telling the wizard about her gift of sight, the Elfling shared with Fern the omen she had been given earlier. “Does this mean we are in danger?” asked Bascilla.

Fern sat calmly and offered the girl hot spiced tea to calm her spirit before she discussed the omen’s prophecy.

“Your vision confirms what the council has feared for days now. Two dark forces descend upon the ancient forest,” said Fern

“It’s Mörken. He’s found a way back somehow,” shouted the Elfling.

“Franny, Ursala, and I will attempt to open the door of the forest elementals to ask their assistance in defeating the Dark One and Myzhur, a necromancer,” the marsh wizard explained.

“Is there anything I can do to help? Ãlskad is the only home the Elfling have ever known, and we would be lost without her,” said Bascilla.

“You have helped immensely with your vision. Return home, instruct the Elfling to prepare for war if we fail, and ask your mother to prepare bandages to heal the wounded. Quickly go now. I must see my sister and tell her your omen,” said Fern.

The two rushed out the door in different directions but with the same urgency: to prepare for war and, if possible, stop it before it happened.