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For whatever reason Yusuvur was coming to the village, Miraveh knew it would mean the end of her time here, once again. The Witch always had plans within plans, strategies and tactics, and they always entailed others becoming dragged into them. Miraveh knew Yusuvur well. Well enough to tidy up her affairs before the Witch arrived.

She informed her neighbours that, whatever happened, she would always return to her little house, giving them half her remaining coins to keep the place tidy and free of anyone deciding to sell it on without her permission. She trusted them more than she would ever trust Yusuvur. Before the Witch even arrived, Miraveh had everything in readiness.

When the portal, with an accompanying surge of magical energy, opened in the very centre of the village, it appeared Yusuvur wanted to make an entrance, but Miraveh had not expected to see those Yusuvur had brought with her. Kayrian was not among them, but Yusuvur led a line of the strangest companions, all on horseback. The portal closed behind the final rider and Yusuvur surveyed the crowd that had gathered to see the spectacle.

Most of them knew Yusuvur. They had seen her all those years ago as she took Miraveh and Kay away to far-away lands. Of her companions, Miraveh doubted anyone had seen their like in centuries. Elves. Not the golden-skinned creatures of myth, tall and proud, with flowing hair and age-old wisdom in their eyes. Miraveh had read the truth about the magical creatures, once, but even she gasped at the reality.

Short, to a one, with skin ranging from chalk-white, to dark, charcoal grey. Long, hooked noses and small, dark eyes that flittered one way and the other, watching the awed villagers who whispered in fear and curiosity. The elves wore their hair in various styles, though that hair appeared greasy and listless. The ears were as promised by the legends. Long and pointed at the tips, twitching as they listened to the fears of the crowd.

Wicked looking weapons adorned their hips and saddlebags. Serrated swords and spears. Chipped, heavy battle-axes, bows made from twisted wood and arrows with black, ragged fletchings. The elves were little like their mythical counterparts. And, at the head of the line, Yusuvur sat in her saddle, straight-backed, imperious.

Miraveh had seen enough. Watching from behind the corner of the village inn, she knew that Yusuvur intended going to war. Yet again. Miraveh wanted no part of that and, with Kay not arriving with the Witch, she didn't want to even greet the woman who had torn Miraveh and Kay from their home. She slipped away, taking a circuitous route back to her little house, and began to change.

As the chainmail shirt came to a rest upon her shoulders, she reached down for the leather over-armour and stopped. Ever since magic had returned to the world, she had felt it. Whenever Sialira came close, Miraveh could feel the magical energy emanating from her. She could feel it every time Sialira performed any kind of magic. And she could feel magic now. Far stronger than the power Sialira possessed.

"I expected you to greet me." That pompous tone of voice, that grated upon Miraveh's teeth, almost sounded like a demand. "It's been six months, girl. I had hoped to feel some progression in your magical abilities."

"Hold hope in one hand and air in the other. Which has more weight?" The chainmail upon her chest and legs rattled as Miraveh continued dressing. She didn't look at Yusuvur. "Kay isn't with you."

"The Seeker has duties to perform. As do you." Yusuvur stepped into sight and Miraveh could see the difference. Her clothing was far more expensive and luxurious than before. "Get your things. I have secured a horse from one of your neighbours. We ride tonight. The darkness will cloak us."

Yusuvur had picked up the cloth-wrapped sword and tutted, a grimace crossing her features. With no care at all, she tossed it to the side and turned to Miraveh, hands clasping behind her as she stared, as though awaiting Miraveh to leave in that very moment. Without looking away from the Witch, Miraveh moved to retrieve the sword from where Yusuvur had thrown it.

She showed far greater care with the weapon than Yusuvur had shown, unfastening the leather tie, unwrapping the sword and taking the belt in hand, wrapping it around her waist before buckling it tight. She wanted Yusuvur to see how deliberate she made those movements. Wanted to show the Witch that she still cared about their fallen comrade, Alran, even if Yusuvur did not.

"I'm going nowhere with you. I played my part. I helped Kay find the Shards and now my life is my own." She lifted the backpack, filled with provisions for the journey ahead. A journey in any direction other than the one Yusuvur wanted her to take. "Go. Follow your schemes and your plans. I'll have no part of it, or you. I only wish Kay had told you the same. I'll perform no duties for you."

"We believe we have already found two candidates who could take over the duties of Pillars. Kay investigates one to the north-west. You will accompany me west and to the south, to the Lanrill islands. I have need of your potential." It was as though Yusuvur had not heard a single word Miraveh had said. "Put away these metal toys, they are nothing in the face of the power of magic."

"No." Adjusting the straps of the backpack upon her shoulders, Miraveh began to stride towards the door of her little house.

She didn't reach it, however. She felt the now-familiar sense of magic filling the air, amplified and focussed. Yusuvur seemed to always hold her connection to magic at all times, unlike Sialira, and now the Witch opened her arms, sending tendrils of green energy flying, striking out in all directions. Miraveh's hand fell to the hilt of her sword and she crouched, ready to draw.

A wind began to rise within the house, sending little things tumbling around in a whirl. Mugs and plates, knives and spoons, all dancing and weaving in the air, caught by the whims of Yusuvur's magic. The door slammed closed, as did the shutters upon the windows, blotting out the light from the Sun outside.

The skirts of Yusuvur's robes fluttered about her, her hair, tied in a tight bun, began to vibrate and twitch, as though fighting for release. Still Yusuvur weaved her magic, sending the winds tumbling about the small living space, sending Miraveh's chair and table crashing against the stone fireplace. Yet the winds did not touch Miraveh, save for the slightest plucking at her leather clothing.

"Am I to be impressed? In fear of you?" She drew her sword, now, and faced the fury of Yusuvur with no fear upon her face. She had seen the anger of a god and Yusuvur paled in comparison. "You cannot make me do anything I don't want to do, Witch!"

Now the winds did catch a hold of Miraveh. One gust ripped her sword hand to the side, causing her grip to open, the sword dropping to the floor. Another gust lifted her from her feet, sending her backwards until she felt the wooden wall of her house press upon her back. Yusuvur stepped towards her, the green tendrils of her magic snaking about her body, until she stood face-to-face with Miraveh.

"No, you should not fear me, girl." The winds disappeared and Yusuvur's face became softer, kinder. Or appeared to. Miraveh dropped to the floor, glaring at the Witch before her. "There are powerful forces abroad, Miraveh Arachild. My power? My magic? It pales in comparison to theirs ... and to yours. We, I, need you."

Miraveh looked about the living space of her home. To prove a point, Yusuvur had almost destroyed the place. She had no understanding of what the place meant to her, as she had no understanding of anything of its like. Of family. Of friendship, comradeship. To Yusuvur, only her plans mattered. Only the duty of fighting a god, or the next dire event that came to Dred-al.

The Witch understood nothing of people. She never could. People were only pieces on a board, symbols on a map of war, there only to move around to her designs, her plans. Miraveh didn't believe that look of kindness upon Yusuvur's face. No doubt, the Witch had chosen the best expression she thought could gain her advantage.

"What forces?" Miraveh still refused to go where Yusuvur wanted her to go, but she needed the information. "And how is Kay involved?"

She had learned much from Yusuvur, over the years. The Witch used people to further her plans, now Miraveh used the Witch.

-+-

Miraveh stared at the elves gathering outside her door. They looked angry. Angry and impatient, but for what reason, she could not imagine. She only knew what others had told her. What Yusuvur had told her. That the ancient magical races and creatures had slumbered during the years Xirasir had cut magic off from Dred-al. Now they had awoken to a world far different from the one they once knew.

For certain, that alone could account for their anger. The impatience, however, she could not reason. She couldn't imagine what the elves would need to do that would cause them to fidget and pace, to bicker among themselves and to gaze southwards too often to class as a coincidence. They were eager to away. To find something, or someone, or to reach some place. By the looks of the assembled villagers, keeping their distance, the elves could leave at any time and they would not mind. Sooner, rather than later.

"As you are aware, once magic returned, so did beings, magical beings, that once called our world their home." Yusuvur wrinkled her nose at the elves outside and then closed the door. With her hand, this time, though Miraveh could still feel magic in the air. "The elves, of course. Dwarves, faeries, goblins, and dragons. Among many others. Many wish only to return to their lives, or, rather, rebuild their civilisations. Others, however ..."

Her voice dwindled, catching upon invisible wings and carried away, or so it seemed. She seemed  different to how Miraveh remembered her. All her usual arrogance, aloofness and condescension remained, but tempered with something else. A weariness that weighed upon her. Miraveh felt no sympathy for the Witch.

"Do get on with it!" Miraveh picked up the chair, that Yusuvur's magical wind had upturned, and its legs cracked against the floor as she set it upright. "For once, speak plainly! Just once! What is happening and how is Kay involved?"

Yusuvur narrowed her eyes at Miraveh's outburst, the corners of her lips quivering, almost turning upwards. She gave a slow nod and, with a flick of her hand, she sent out her green magic once more, resettling the table upright with a wind guided with precision. Miraveh almost rolled her eyes at the excessive show of power. That was the reason for the winds in the first place, to impress upon Miraveh that she no longer spoke to a 'Barren' Witch, but one revelling in her new powers.

"One such civilisation of magical beings lived in great cities, with towers of marble that stretched like fingers towards the stars, as though reaching to take the entire universe in their hands. Oh, don't give me that look! The analogy stands. These beings coveted." At the raised eyebrow from Miraveh, Yusuvur scowled at the unspoken question. "They coveted everything. But, most of all, they coveted the power of the gods. It was the greatest among them that corrupted Xirasir, trying to merge with the god and take his power. His hubris cost the world our connection to magic and began the madness that eventually overwhelmed the God of Despair, bringing about great devastation, until our friend Kayrian defeated his Shade."

"I've never heard such a legend and I should know. It was you, after all, that had me spend an entire year in the library tower of the Coven of Scales. Which, I might add, was the most boring time of my entire life." She began to scoff at Yusuvur's words, but then a memory pricked at her mind. Something she had only read in passing. "Do you mean 'The Lost'? Something I read, about a civilisation far out in the ocean, beyond the north-west coast, that destroyed themselves. An offshoot of the elves."

Yusuvur said nothing and Miraveh moved to a window. Outside, some of the elves had started to build a campfire, her washing tubs overturned and used as seats. She saw Sialira mingling with the elves, her eyes alight, her mouth moving continuously. Of course she would find the creatures fascinating, as everyone would. Everyone but Miraveh.

'The Lost'. It would explain, to some degree, why Yusuvur travelled with these magical beings. If they did, indeed, share an ancestry with 'The Lost', they could provide invaluable knowledge and assistance. That Yusuvur chose to appear as their leader was everything Miraveh would expect of the woman. She was using the elves for her own purposes.

"The books relating to these beings were not available to such as you. Had you taken up our offer and trained in your magic, I would have introduced them to you myself. As it is, you chose to remain outside of the Coven." Yusuvur waved a dismissive hand, giving a slight, annoyed shake of the head. "No matter. These beings are called Gaele. Beings of astounding beauty and intelligence. Admirable, in some ways, but I have reason to believe that they wish to continue their attempts to steal godhood from Xirasir, Himitar and Pailai and I do not doubt they have already learned from their mistakes."

"Again, you twist and turn. You give just enough to make it sound as though you're giving people an informed choice, when, in actual fact, you give only the bare minimum." Fingers ran through Miraveh's hair, snagging due to the tight pony-tail and she wished she'd cut it all off. "What does any of this have to do with me, or Kay?"

"Kay understands his power and the responsibilities that entails. He has embraced it. He has been despatched to travel to the islands of the Gaele, where I believe one of the new Pillars lives. We cannot allow the Gaele to gain control of a Pillar, or even simply a candidate." Yusuvur didn't even try to look sorry. No sooner had Kay saved the world than the Witch had sent him out into danger once again. "You must help me find the other two Pillar candidates. The old ones grow weaker by the day. Only when all three replacements are found can the Pillars pass on their eons-old duties. Only then can we continue to hold the gods at bay and prevent the Gaele from bringing about another period of darkness."

"You just can't do it, can you?" Miraveh had not taken the backpack from her shoulders during the conversation. She adjusted the straps once more, dropped a hand to her sword hilt and turned towards the door. "I'm done with you. There's a reason you need me, but you simply can't reveal it. It's in your nature to lie and hide things. I can't do this anymore."

The feeling of Yusuvur's magic grew within the tight space once more and Miraveh could see the darkening of the Witch's features. She didn't like people defying her, challenging her. She was new to her magical power, still, and it rose and fell in strength according to her emotional state. Miraveh could see that, now. She didn't care. Let the Witch erupt a storm about them if she wished, Miraveh would rather die than do as Yusuvur demanded.

The green tendrils around Yusuvur's fingers faded as Miraveh pulled open the door, the eyes of the elves turning to face her. Expectant eyes that searched for Yusuvur and what command she had for them. Sialira also turned towards the door, but her eyes remained on Miraveh.

"The universe provides. It provides candidates for the duties of the Pillars, for the Seeker of the Shards of Mirrorwood and for many other things. Never only one. Always a number of them, in order that the world is never without." Yusuvur's hand rested upon Miraveh's shoulder. "To find, in one village, a powerful Seeker of the Shards alongside an equally powerful Seeker of the Pillars was unprecedented. There are no coincidences in such things. With your help, we can find the most powerful candidates for the new Pillars. Your potential, alone, can do this fast enough to keep this world at peace."

A shiver ran through Miraveh at Yusuvur's touch. It crept through her skin and bit deep into her bones. It slithered into her mind and Miraveh felt as though she needed to vomit. Everything Yusuvur said or did had hidden meanings, secrets and lies attached. The very touch of the woman's hand sickened Miraveh to her core.

Outside, she could see Sialira scowling. Of course she would. The girl, as annoying as she was, was in thrall to Yusuvur as much as anyone. She had taken on a three month journey, on Yusuvur's orders, alone, to reach Donsa village. She had spent almost another three months living here, trying to teach Miraveh in the ways of magic. Again, on Yusuvur's orders. She was Yusuvur's puppet and she would find good reason to scowl at Miraveh defying Yusuvur.

With a shrug of her shoulder, Miraveh pulled away from Yusuvur's hand and began to leave her home. She could trust her neighbours to do as she asked. They would close the home, as soon as Yusuvur and her elves left, and keep it safe until Miraveh returned. When that would be, Miraveh could not say. She only knew she had to get away and her presence in Donsa village could only cause greater disruption until Yusuvur found some other fool to do her bidding. She ignored the pleading look in Sialira's eyes as she passed, before pausing and turning back to Yusuvur.

"If you'd only been honest. From the start, all those years ago. I ..." She shook her head and gave her little house one last, mournful look. "But you can't. You say the universe provides many candidates for many roles. I hope, when you find an alternative for me, that you can at least be honest with them. It may surprise you what honesty can bring you."

Yusuvur's features didn't change. She continued to scowl at Miraveh, but Miraveh no longer cared. Yusuvur had said she was heading south. She said she had sent Kay to the north-west. With a glance at the Sun, hanging high above the village, she turned eastwards and didn't look back.