Chapter 2

If I settle on the sea…

Sherwoode retreated to the secludes of Earther Woods to think. She had left the noon food taking early, to arrive at the woods before the sun was at its height. Not even the burning sun could find its way throw the canopy of Earther Woods, so Sherwoode followed the fir trod path to the Swimming Hole.

The lucid water glittered like diamonds in the pale sunlight. A small waterfall sprayed the pearls onto Sherwoode as she sat on a half fallen log. Raen had gone to the Oracle to talk about something and had ordered her to stay put. Many things had happened ever since that last afternoon when she had freed Firefly. Liline, Illiad, and Witha were still at the camp, but Sherwoode wasn't lonely anymore. Sorceress Leowa and Sorceress Raen spent the whole morning giving her tests. For the most part, Sherwoode despised tests. These `tests' weren't as bad. Actually, they were quite easy.

I asked Raen how I did, Sherwoode thought, she wouldn't say. I probably failed or something. I always fail important stuff.

*

" What am I supposed to do?" Raen asked frantically, pacing back and forth in Crystal Castle. "Her readings are off the charts."

Oracle Akili eyed Raen carefully, the calmness never fading from her face. "It is obvious that she is going to be important." The Oracle stood up from her chair, walking to the other end of the hall. "She did conquer the darkness."

"But only once.." Raen informed her. The Oracle laughed lightly, turning to face the Sorceress.

"If one has the power to conquer, it is never lost. Luck is not given with the Shadows - good luck, bad luck whatever. She probably doubts herself because of you. That is not a good way to start a training."

"Training? What type?"

The Oracle gazed up at the sun, cresting the snow-topped mountains. "I will

mediate on it tonight."

*

That night Crystal City was bathed in a serene, unilluminated light. Oracle Akili drew together the rich satin curtains in temple slowly, letting the disappearing golden glow rest on the the Altars filled with essence smoke. She took a seat on a hard cushion next to the cold ivory wall and let the mediation wash over her like daydreams on a spring day.

She was sitting, the Oracle discovered, not in the temple anymore - but on nothingness. Never before was nothing so stable or solid. Wisps of dreams floated around her - each colored differently according to the type of dream. Nightmares were a strong, impressive black. On the other hand, good dreams appeared almost transparent. The waves of the forces of good and evil throbbed around her, almost drawing out the voices she perceived coming out of the darkness.

Sherwoode...Sherwoode...the chant came around her swelling in joy. The training will come, it will be. She must train herself - or the Destiny will not be hers. Do not worry - the time of darkness is not close.....

The un-light faded into complete darkness, Immortal voices fell back -leaving the Oracle alone in the emptiness.

*

The next day, sloshing rains fell over the whole countryside. Paths were suddenly inaccessible due to mud, and the people in the Encampment grew restless from the waiting. The Shadows were due to strike soon, nobody knew how soon or where they would attack.

"I made a mistake," Liline laughed at morning Food-taking that day. Sherwoode rolled her eyes, mistakes of Liline's type were not unusual. "I touched the top of my tent when the rain came last night."

Witha picked a piece of bread soaked in honey off his plate. "Now why would you do that?"

"Well, I always heard the tents would hold water unless you touched them..I guess whoever said that was right. The whole bottom of my tent is covered in dirty rain water and Genia is ready to kill me. She probably could too."

Sherwoode looked puzzled, "Genia?"

"My tent sharer," Liline explained. "She has a temper."

"I think anyone who knows you has a temper," Illiad joked. He poured four glasses of Berry Juice and passed them out. "You often bring out the bad side of people."

"That wouldn't be my fault." Liline took the glass from Illiad, sipped some of the juice, and turned to Sherwoode. "Now, your life is getting interesting. Tell us."

Sherwoode shrugged her shoulders, "Not really. Life has always been boring. Maybe it's just now that Raen actually talks with me without being forced - I don't know."

"You mean Raen's talking to you?" Witha choked on his juice. Everyone knew Raen disliked Sherwoode greatly, even though she had rescued her from an Island as a baby. It went with the saying ` two suns can't hold their courses in the same sphere.' "I always thought she hated you."

"I think she still does," Sherwoode told him. "She only asked me to go speak with the Oracle this afternoon."

"The Oracle? Why?" Liline asked in wonder. "Is it about that pensing thing again? When you saved Firefly?"

"By the way," Witha spoke suddenly, taking something out from his pocket, " Firefly made this for you. In thanks." He handed Sherwoode a small, carefully wrapped package. She took the rough paper of the package, revealing a small necklace - intricately woven with a single charm hanging of the end. A silver outline of a leaf, Sherwoode's signature.

Sherwoode clasped the necklace around her neck, "It's very nice. I guess she wove the chain, but where did she get the charm?"

"I don't know. Firefly wouldn't tell me. Something about surprises."

"Do you think she could find a charm for me?" Liline wondered. "I'd sure like one. I need a certain one for my necklace."

Sherwoode smiled at her friend. "What time is it? I have to start off to Crystal City."

"About ten." Illiad showed her the sun dial in clear view on the green. "You ought to be leaving."

"I'll go with you," Witha added. "I have to drop some stuff of at the temple anyway."

"What stuff?" Liline inquired.

"Just stuff."

Sherwoode nodded, "Then come on. I can't be late."

*

"So what did you have to drop off?" Sherwoode laughed. "You can tell me."

Witha laughed, "Actually nothing. I just wanted to go with you."

They were heading down the muddy road to Crystal City. Rain fell

relentlessly from the sky, almost a forewarning to the darkness coming. Sherwoode shivered at the thought, darkness would mean an end.

"It's not that cold out here," Witha spoke. "You don't have to shiver."

Sherwoode bit her lip - hard - , "No. I wasn't shivering at the cold. Maybe at the darkness and the future. I couldn't guess."

"We can't fight the Shadows," Witha sighed.

"Nital couldn't, neither are we able to or the Lost Islands or Firestone or any other place for that matter. The Shadowing isn't something you can fight," Sherwoode agreed. "It so evil, so vile it can't be mastered by good."

"I think good can conquer everything in time. Even Shadowing."

"So," Sherwoode said, "you're saying that if you were Shadowed - which I hope never happens - you could be un- Shadowed by good? Impossible."

"What do they call it now? Enlightening or something."

Sherwoode groaned, "Nobody can Enlighten anymore. Not even Raen."

"Do you think Zilpha could?"

"Probably. She was powerful, Universal Force and all that."

Witha smiled in almost conceit, "I'm related to Zilpha. Maybe I could." Sherwoode raised her eyebrows, astonished at Witha's pride. Witha was never prideful, especially about things like Spirit-Force. His father had hated the idea of Spirit-Force, and Sherwoode was afraid Witha had also.

"I thought you hated Spirit."

Witha nodded, "I do."

"Then why do you think about Enlightening?"

"Most people use the Spirit just to further themselves. I think I would only use the Spirit -Force to help others -like you did."

"Hey," Sherwoode said, "I didn't think I was doing anything."

"What was it like? To enter a mind?"

Sherwoode jumped over a log in the road before she spoke. "Scary. There was nothingness in the darkness. Emptiness terrorizes me."

"Why?"

Shewoode sighed, "I don't know. It's almost inborn."

Crystal City appeared dazzling over the mountains, gleaming in the after noon sunlight. Approaching the city, Sherwoode felt a sudden awe over her - something in her was drawn to this sacred place.

*

"I called you here for many reasons, Sherwoode. Out of question mostly." Oracle conveyed an air of calm. Around her, Sherwoode felt at harmony with

all of humanity. "Raen tells me you saved a young girl's life through the Spirit -Force gift."

Sherwoode nodded, "I did." Her brain was mush in the presence of such a being. Oracle Akili appeared kind and calm, but Sherwoode remembered that people are often blinded by power. Had the Oracle just called her to further her own skill? If so, Sherwoode had no hidden knowledge to share nor a noble background to steal.

Neither did she have any skeletons in the closet to be blackmailed.

"Nobody has been able to rid a living, breathing creature of the Darkness. I am surprised that you were able to."

Sherwoode gasped, "You doubt my ability? Just like Raen."

"I am different from Raen. I understand the gift from talking to Immortals. The Immortals have sung of you." The Oracle kept the outward placidness. The nonchalance of her angered Sherwoode.

"The idea is the same."

"You are full of rage. Over what may I ask?"

Sherwoode turned toward the balcony overlooking the shining city. "I don't believe a person of your status would infringe on the business of a commoner. Unless they wanted to benefit themselves."

The Oracle agreed (surprisingly) with Sherwoode. "Power does make me seem intimidating. So you wonder the reason I called for you? To discuss your Spirit-Force.

Raen preformed several skill tests on you and in each one, you displayed a higher gift of Spirit - Force. Sherwoode, you have an ability that no one in Elric has possessed for ages. You will be a key figure in the fight for independence from evil.

I just wanted to cleanse you of the Spirit through prayer and meditation. Then, the Immortals say, you will know your path and take it."

"Cleanse me?" Sherwoode questioned. "How?"

"Come with me..we will begin."

*

Sherwoode fidgeted uncomfortably in the silky dress the Oracle gave her. She glanced at the falling sun outside the window and hoped Witha wasn't waiting for her. Sherwoode didn't want him to get in trouble just because he had been deferring his trip back for her.

The Oracle pulled open a purple satin curtain and motioned for Sherwoode. She followed hesitantly, never liking the idea of praying or meditating. The room the curtain revealed was made completely of ivory, decked with gold and silver ornaments.

"Say a prayer, child. A Praise song." the Oracle told her, kneeling down on a cushion. Sherwoode shrugged unknowingly and knelt beside her.

"O' Lord, you have searched me

and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise.;

where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

If I settle on the sea,

even there your hand will guide me

your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, surely darkness will hide me

and the light become night around me

even the darkness will not be dark to you

the night will shine like the day

for darkness is as light to you," Sherwoode sang. It was the only song she knew, an old one that someone had patiently taught her when she was young. Thinking hard, Sherwoode couldn't remember a time before she had been rescued. She must have learned it after then.

The Oracle smiled, "A fine prayer. Especially now when darkness is so prevalent. It tells you to remember the High One can conquer Darkness, even though so few of us can."

"It gives me hope, " Sherwoode replied, "that one day all evil will be gone."

*

After an hour of praying, the Oracle led Sherwoode to a tiny alcove of the main room of Crystal Castle. A small bed was set up in one of the corners, a pillow propped up on blankets.

"You may sleep here," the Oracle informed Sherwoode. "I will be in the Temple of the High One if you need me. I don't wish you to disturb me, I will be mediatating on today."

The Oracle shut the door quietly behind her. Sherwoode sighed. She had hoped to be back that night, but it was already midnight. There was no way she would be able to get to Napolo before morning - without sleep.

Sherwoode slipped under the covers. They were comfortably warm and she shut her eyes - unprepared for what was to follow.

She was aware the she was sitting on a sandy beach. The sun was bright and burning in the sky, it was obviously not night here. A forest of palm trees lined the

white sand shore. Sherwoode leaned back, this must be a good dream she reasoned. No nightmare would take place on such a lovely island.

The calm of the prussian sea waters broke in crests as a ship approached the island. A Serenian flag flapped triumphantly in the wind and on deck Sherwoode saw a much younger Raen calling out commands. "The Serenian mission to Sherwoode Island?" Sherwoode wondered out loud. That was the only mission Raen had commanded, she disliked long sea trips.

Sherwoode watched as the ship neared the shore. A sandbar stuck out of the water, the ship shuddered as it barely missed it. Raen yelled, "Drop the boat!" The rowboat plunged quickly in to the frothy water - exciting the dolphins to squeaks. Several sailors, including Raen, followed the boat. They rowed it carefully around the sand bar toward the lonely shore.

"May I ask, ma'am," one sailor asked, "what Island this is? We're getting far a way from the Lost ones."

"Sherwoode Island. It was just discovered. Don't call me ma'am. I am your Captain for High One's sakes."

The rowboat rubbed against the sand and Raen jumped out. "Search the Island, noting the flora and fauna."

"The what?"

Raen groaned, "The plants and animals. Now get to it!"

Sherwoode knew the rest of the dream. They would find her dressed in a short dress among the white lilies near a pool. After finding her, Raen would name her Sherwoode after the island. Realizing that no one would just let a three-year old roam free on a dangerous island, Sherwoode would be taken home and raised in Serenity.

Why was she getting this dream? She already knew her past. Or did she? Did she know her parents? No. A great awareness came over Sherwoode. She would only know how to use her gift if she knew who was connected to it. Sherwoode made up her mind then and there. She would return to Sherwoode Island to find her past.

*

"So...what you're saying is that the only way to find yourself is to know your heritage. That's sort of stupid," Witha informed her. They were heading back to the Encampment in the East. He had spent the night in a Crystalian Inn, his work not finished before the sun had left the sky.

Sherwoode rolled her eyes, "Too you, everything that doesn't have something to do with heroism is stupid. You never know, I could be the long lost daughter of some rich king. That would show you."

"The likeliness of that happening is rare," Witha laughed. "I wouldn't be surprised if your parents weren't some slaves or something. And the master wanted you back."

"I think sometimes that would be better than knowing you." Sherwoode kicked some dust up into the fall breeze. "You can be downright rude sometimes. And for that matter, conceited. If you ever drew a map of the solar system it would probably revolve around you."

"It already does," Witha joked.

"What?!" Sherwoode almost shrieked.

Witha nodded toward the sky, "The Witha Star - everything revolves around it."

"Only in fairy tales."

"In real life too."

Sherwoode brushed the thought away,"You wish. It's just like Earth's North Star.Nothing revolves around it. Nothing ever would revolve around it."

"Then," Witha smiled wickedly, "why do all the Sky Maps have it in the center?"

"Because it's the most logical point. It never moves."

Witha's eyes laughed and he turned back toward Crystal City. "Then doesn't everything revolve around it?"

"I..well,...you've got me."

"See?"

Sherwoode picked up a twig from the ground and threw it in a perfect trajectory through the air. It cracked as it hit a tall rocky column almost a hundred yards ahead. "It's a good idea to go to Sherwoode Island."

"I think you only want to see an island that you're named after."

Sherwoode sighed. She squinted in the sunlight, trying to make out the road sign ahead. "East Mountain, one mile. That's about a half hour walking."

"Should we run?"

"Not if you don't want to pass out in front of Sir Allard, no."

"I don't think he'd care."

"You don't know. He could care alot."

Witha frowned. He absently kicked up grass and flowers along the path. "Anyway.."

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing."

Sherwoode demanded an answer. "There has to be something."

"How long would you be away?"

"I don't know. Maybe a month - I guess." She turned to Witha. " What does that have to do with anything?"

"And you're going all by yourself?"

Sherwoode suddenly realized what he was getting at. She smiled secretly. "Not if you, Illiad, and Liline can drag yourselves away from being famous."

"They have to come?"

Sherwoode groaned. "Witha, you're crazy." She dashed down the road ahead of him.

*

Liline tied the two Myubas panels on her ankles and wrists. "I think I can go to Sherwoode Island - maybe as a body guard or something."

"I don't need a body guard."

"Then think of something else."

Liline had been given a half day off (like everyone else in the Army) to relax. Witha and Illiad had chosen to go down to Napolo with a bunch of guys to see the sparring matches in the Courtyard. Liline planned to spend the time off gliding with Sherwoode.

Sherwoode looked over the edge of the cliff, "Do you think the air currents are strong enough?" The wind wasn't very strong that day - without a strong air current the gravity would smash them on the cliff floor.

"I asked Raen. She said that they seemed okay." Liline replied, tightening the cord around her wrist. Two loose gauzy drapes hung down from her arms now, attached at her ankles. "Of course, I wouldn't be surprised if Raen wanted to kill you or something."

"She hates me that much?"

"No, I was joking. High One - you're sensitive."

The sun glared down from the crest of the crags above them. A small cairn in the rock proved their take off space. Liline stood, her toes bending over the edge, wing panels flapping in the sudden breeze. Behind her, Sherwoode took her plot along the opposite cliff side. For a split second, they teetered on the brink of land and nothingness. Then - they fell.

The gliding was exhilarating, wind rushing at one's face on the first drop - then the mind cleansing glide toward the ground. Sherwoode looked to her left, seeing Liline diving in the pure air. Yet the scene changed - it wasn't Liline diving off the cliff. It was the all of Elric. And Sherwoode realized she happened to be their wing panels.

Without her - Elric might perish. With her - they stood a chance. That was what the Oracle had been saying all along. That was why she was going to Sherwoode Island - to find the missing link of the Myubas so that she could let it glide.