The Sybilline Prophecy: Lavender's Quest

By Carol Linn

The Sybilline Prophecy
Lavender’s Quest
By Carol Linn


To all appearances Kezia Stretch is just a sweet older lady who loves children and cares for the neighborhood children’s sick pets and makes the best cookies ever but in reality she is a member of the Druidean Guild, a gifted race of people who live in hiding because the common people do not understand and fear their special powers. Sometime ago three wise Sybils in the Guild predicted a new Sacred Sophia would come to power but they also foretold of a great evil that threatened the new Sacred Sophia. Five possible candidates were named and one of those candidates was none other than little Lavender Winter, One of Kezia’s young friends. Not only does Kezia have to protect Lavender and take her safely to the testing grounds where she will be tested to find out if she is the next Sacred Sophia but she must also explain to young Lavender that she is actually a member of the Druidean race while protecting her from the evil Mordra who is planning to kill the next Sacred Sophia and steal her powers and become the next Sacred Sophia so that she can rule not only the Druideans but also of the common people as well. Kezia is a very powerful mage but will she be able to protect Lavender from Mordra with whom she has a very special connection? Will Lavender turn out to be the next Sacred Sophia? Not even Kezia with all her powers knows the answers to these questions. Kezia and Lavender must go on a quest together to find out the truth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Feb 18, 2013
• ISBN: 9781626752016

Book preview

done.

Prologue

1500 A.D.

The Queen and her sisters sat unmoving in a circle, staring intently into the blue and yellow flames of the sacred fire that burned brightly in the center of their prayer ring. Their lips were barely moving as they chanted the blessed prayer song. Their hands were clenched together so tightly that their fingers were all deathly white.

They were trying desperately to call up the spirit of Inanna, the Sacred Sophia who last walked the earth many hundreds of years ago. There have been no other Sophiac Oracles since her time. Queen Ma’at, seated at the head stone in the sacred circle, reaches out with all the powers she possesses hoping to make this calling successful. They must have this miracle if they are to save their Order from complete destruction. Queen Ma’at knows that if the Order fails, the entire world will fall victim to an unimaginable and powerful evil that will rule the entire world forever.

She glances at her five sisters, one by one as the flames and chants rise higher and higher. There is Romona the healer, Beatrix the wise, Adilla the animagus, Zedra the seer and dwarfish little Matred the powerful. Each is powerful in her own right and each one is a vital member of the High Holy Council. They are the powerful Seven Sisters. But one sister is not present and it is her screams that can be heard even this deep within the cave where the six sisters are performing their sacred ceremony that is their last vain hope.

Kestra lies in a bed of warm furs inside her earthen and rough stone hut, tossing and thrashing in pain as she struggles to give birth to the twins that are fighting their way out of her womb.

Kestra cried out to old Bitta, the midwife. Please help me Bitta! Save me, please save me! I can take no more. Why do the babes fight within me so? she writhed and twisted in pain. Is this then the punishment for my evil sin?

Old Bitta pressed one of her herbal potions to Kestra’s lips and gently soothed her.

Now, now my child, drink this for it will ease the pain. Is it a sin to be cursed by another? Oh evil indeed but not done by you. The evil is his that put the curse upon you, who killed the Bright One and then put his own seed in you to grow to bring evil with its birth. Bending low, Bitta caressed Kestra’s brow and whispered, Otan was not as wise as he believed, eh? For your beloved, Lucent the Bright One, also planted his seed in you and it grows strong as well. So now they fight within. They fight for first power, to be firstborn. Send your power and your prayers to the sisters that they might succeed. That the child of light will live and the dark one shall not! Pray this is the Shekinah’s will!"

Kestra weepy bitter tears of angst, of deep regret; and began to add her prayers to her sisters’ cries. Queen Ma’at heard her sister’s mournful desperate prayers coming to join with the sisters. She felt Kestra’s weakened power straining to join with the others and with a surge of burgeoning hope, led her sisters on in their fervent prayer. They chanted still louder.

Oh Inanna hear us, hear us

We pray for your blessed gifts

Help us, we pray, Divine Inanna

Oh Inanna come to us!

Help us, we pray, Divine Inanna

Oh Inanna come to us!

Oh Inanna come before us!

Inanna come! Oh Inanna come!

Hear our humble plea.

Bless us with your holy presence.

Oh Inanna, Sacred Sophia!

Deliver us from evil!

Oh Inanna hear us, hear us!

Inanna come! Oh Inanna come!

Suddenly inside the little mud and stone hut Kestra began to scream as one babe determined to born, stretched her until it felt as though she would split.

Bitta cried out excitedly as she reached between Kestra’s knees. The babe comes it is borning! Push love, push! Ah yes, good girl, good girl!

At last the baby’s head popped out and as the shoulders slipped out next, it seemed as if the baby’s hands pushed at her mother, so eager was the baby to be born. As Bitta made to lift the baby away from her mother, she let out a startled gasp!

By the Goddess! The second babe holds fast to the first!

Sure enough, the second baby’s tiny hand was clasped tightly on the tiny foot of her sister. Bitta quickly delivered the second child who entered the world wailing lustily even as her sister lay quietly by.

Ah no they both live and girls they both are. One is dark and one is light. Ah me, what will be now, what will come on us after this?

Kestra looked upon her babes as they lay in the bed beside her. The firstborn was fair and lovely with spun gold hair that flashed from gold to red gold to white gold and then back again; and her eyes were bright light brown with sparks of gold. Her smile seemed to light the room as she lay peacefully with her mother. Her twin, too, was very beautiful with dark blood red hair and eyes as green as moss upon the stone. But her eyes were cold and fierce as she screamed and thrashed in her mother’s arms.

Mistress, what do we do now? Bitta worried.

Go now to my sisters and bring them to me! Kestra said and lay back weakly. There is much to be done.

The six sisters chanting had reached a loud and resounding crescendo when finally the twins were born. They knew the moment of birth had come and that their ceremony and prayers had failed. For at the very moment of the second, the dark one’s birth, a mighty roar filled their cave and white hot flames with red-orange sparks shot from the fire high into the air. Then all at once the fire went out in a great puff of black smoke. The sisters collapsed to the floor and began to weep. They had failed to stop the prophecy before it began. Was all lost now? Was there still a chance, a way to prevent the prophecy from coming to pass?

Bitta came hurriedly into the cave, anxious to find the sisters. Upon entering the main chamber she stumbled in the dark gloom and cried out:

Queen Ma’at, Queen Ma’at! Kestra needs you now! You and your sisters must come at once! Her eyes finally adjusted to the dark and Bitta at last spied Queen Ma’at at the other side of the ritual chamber.

Oh there you are! Please come now!

Yes Bitta, we are coming. replied Queen Ma’at. Can you light a torch, dear friend, so that we can better see our way? We must reach our dear sister quickly!

Bitta found a torch and quickly lit it. Here this way! Come. Come now.

The sisters hurried after Bitta. She led them out of the cave and into the chilled night. They went across the frosty grass and down the steep hill to the mud and stone hut where their sister lay exhausted in her fur bed. A babe lay tucked tightly in each arm.

Kestra dear, cried Romona as she entered the hut, we are here, tell us what must we do?

All six sisters gathered around Kestra in the small hut. Beatrix took her younger sister’s trembling hand in her own. Oh poor thing, this has been too hard on you! You must rest now.

No my sister, I cannot, not until we have planned what we must do now that our prayers have failed.

Quite right, Kestra, spoke up Queen Ma’at, We must try and find another way to stop the evil Prophecy from coming true. We must decide what must be done about the babe, the darkling.

If only it had been stillborn, mused Adilla, Perhaps we could put the babe out and leave her to the fates and elements as was done in the olden days. Do you see an answer, Zedra?

I’m afraid not, I am just not getting a thing. Not tonight any way, not after that draining ceremony we just did. Perhaps in a day or two I will have my strength back.

Oh no, we mustn’t wait that long, cried Matred, we must act now.

Perhaps Adilla’s idea is our best hope. interjected Queen Ma’at.

Listen to me, all of you! Kestra commanded their attention. Do you not realize that she is my child as well as the child of Otan. I know well that the evil that dwells and grows in her must be stopped if at all possible. But if the Divine Shekinah did not stop her breath before she saw the light of this world and if even the Sacred Sophia did not intervene on her behalf, then she must be meant to live. Who are we to go against divine plan? We must try to thwart the evil yet preserve her life!

Yes, quite true, quite true, Zedra responded, one thing I know for sure is that we must separate these babes, least the dark one does her sister harm, eh? I suggest we foster them both out and place them as far apart as possible.

Please no, cried Kestra, Why take both my babes?

Zedra is right my dear, Queen Ma’at said soothingly, this truly is the best way. We will place them each with a powerful and trustworthy gifted family and appoint a mentor for each one. This way they can be taught as well as guarded.

You must know that this is for the best. added Adilla.

I know, but oh to have to give up both my beautiful babes! How will I bear it?

Now, now my dear, it won’t be as bad as that. I’m sure you will be able to see them from time to time—but anonymously as that dark one might use you to hurt her sister. Beatrix spoke softly.

And before they are fostered out they should be named, Kestra. Have you chosen for them yet?

Dear sisters you are right of course and I will do as I must though it fair breaks my heart. Kestra said as she lay back weakly on her pillow. As for the naming, yes I have chosen. My firstborn daughter shall be called Kezia the light of heart. My second daughter shall be known simply as Mordra for she must find her own way. Sisters please pray with me for my babes.

Oh Divine Shekinah, we pray,

Hear us on this saddest day.

We pray for the babes before us.

That your love surrounds us,

And shine your precious light

down upon them this dark night.

Protect and guide each precious child.

Teach each to be meek and mild.

Oh blessed Shekinah, Mother,

May they follow you and no other.

Amen

As their sister Kestra, the brave, slept that night; two of her sisters came secretly to the hut. First was Zedra the seer, who came silently inside. She crept quietly across the stone floor to Kestra’s bed. Ever so gently she moved the covers and lifted one tiny babe and wrapped her in a soft blanket before disappearing into the dark night. Next was Romona the healer, who came to take the second babe. Romona paused at Kestra’s bedside and whispered a silent prayer for her sister. Then she too, disappeared into the black velvet midnight.

Chapter One

Present Day

A plump little, grey-haired older lady suddenly popped out from behind a huge lilac bush full of fragrant lavender blooms. With a rather confused and flustered look on her face, Kezia pulled a small leafy sprig from her hair and brushed a few scattered blossoms from the front of her dark blue dress. She looked around briefly, orienting herself to her surroundings and then started walking determinedly down the road towards home, muttering to herself as she went.

Drat those portals! Supposed to put you one place, then lands somewhere else! My land but I’m late! Got to hurry, got to hurry! Must have taken a wrong turn, I guess.

She walked hurriedly along the road, passing quaint storybook houses along the way. It was a lovely, warm spring day. Kezia inhaled the sweet scent of roses and honeysuckle floating in the gentle breeze as she walked along. Soon her house came into view and she smiled in spite of herself. The little house was the vision of a lovely little English cottage surrounded by many varieties of flowers and herbs. Sitting here on the edge of the centrally located plains town of Reno City, Oklahoma, it did seem a little bit out of place. It was a dainty little house made of cream colored stone while all the other houses nearby were frame or brick. Yet it still had a welcoming appeal that made everyone who visited feel quite at home there.

As Kezia turned onto her front walk she admired her garden with pride: the lilies, roses, larkspur, and hollyhocks just to name a few. She had grown every flower and herb herself, starting them all from seedlings.

Well, I’d better get a move on, thought Kezia as she turned the key in the lock, my little ones will be here soon enough! And today of all days didn’t the council just have to run on so long! My, my there’s so much to do, too. She worried as she hurried through the comfy living room with cheerful pastel curtains and soft, comfortable old furniture on her way to her cozy little kitchen.

While Kezia quickly rolled out the dough for her famous Butterscotch Pecan Crumble cookies she thought over the council meeting she had just attended. The Council of the Seven Sisters had presided while all the other high offices and mages had sat in attendance, either listening raptly or motioning urgently to be recognized. A few older members were lightly dozing, rousing briefly now and then to mumble a comment and then doze off again.

The current Queen, Queen Kellaine, thumped impatiently with her ebony, ivory and lazuli gavel on the old wooden table and loudly commanded, Everyone, ATTENTION! ATTENTION! This is a most important meeting and there will be no shirking or snoozing! Alert, I need everyone alert! Immediately a hush fell over the room and everyone sat up and gave their complete attention to their Queen.

Thank you. That is much better, much better. Now you all know why we’ve gathered here today. This meeting was called to discuss the most urgent matter of the Sybilline Prophecy and the terrible happenings among our own people as well as the violent attacks on the common people. These evil doings are the work, I’m afraid, of the Maleficent One—Mordra!

Voices began murmuring and heads turning and nodding in consternation and concern.

Quiet ladies, quiet please. Spoke up Drusilla, Council Second, we must listen to what Queen Kellaine has to tell us.

Sister Drusilla is right. We must come together to solve this frightful dilemma before us. said Cestia, adding her voice to her sister’s voice.

The room quieted as Queen Kellaine began to speak.

Yes, hear me ladies, all will have the chance to speak; but first hear what I have to say! We have all believed in and prayed for the fulfillment of the part of the Prophecy that tells of a new Sacred Sophia, while at the same time praying that the second part does not come true. It tells of a great evil that should it come to pass, will threaten our very existence. We believe that Mordra is that very evil one. We have prayed and hoped for another Sacred Sophia to lead us and help us to create a world of united peace but that wicked Mordra is trying to change the prophecy and usher in an unimaginable and unstoppable evil with herself at the helm.

Queen Kellaine continued. There have been incidences of thefts from some of our most holy institutions with several grievous injuries reported. Right now there is an ongoing investigation of a major theft in the common world. Our source reports that a commoner was killed during the theft. This cannot continue—Mordra must be stopped!

They had all listened as Queen Kelliane continued to outline how Mordra wanted to stop the coming of the first new Sophiac Oracle who was prophesied by several highly placed Sybils. They said she had been born sometime in the last ten years. Mordra planned to kill this precious one, steal her powers and then take her place as the Sacred Sophia herself.

Oh how that thought made Kezia shudder. Just the thought! It had been decided that a search would be begun to find the budding young Sophia and place her safely away from Mordra’s evil reach. There were five possible candidates whom the Council had been watching especially closely for the last few years now. Once these young girls were found and removed to a safe and secret location, they would be nurtured and protected until one of the girls was proven to be the new Sacred Sophia and grew old enough and strong enough to defend herself. Another group of powerful mages had been chosen to track down and destroy if necessary the wicked Mordra if she could not be confined and stopped by magic power alone.

Oh my, is that cookies I smell burning? Dear me no, I must not let that happen! The children would be so disappointed. Kezia hurried to pull out the steaming trays of hot fresh cookies which she set out to cool while she prepared glasses and a nice pitcher of fresh cold milk. She thought about how the Council has selected five Questors to seek out and test the five possible candidates who since their birth had been carefully watched over by the Gifted Ones. Kezia had been chosen as one of these Questors and she prayed to the Divine Shekinah that she would make the Council proud and do an honorable job.

She pondered this grave and responsible assignment as she made ready for her little visitors. She knew she had to proceed carefully but quickly as there was no time to spare. It would be very dangerous to go too slowly. But still she must act very wisely and very diligently. For the fact of the matter was that one of Kezia’s little ones, one of her visitors coming on this very day, was one of the five candidates. It was sweet, dear little Lavender Winter. Kezia had grown to love the young girl over the years of careful mentoring and watchful tending. True Lavender was very talented and possessed great powers but all the same Kezia truly hoped that she was not the true Sophia, was not the one that the dreadful Mordra sought.

What terrifying danger that would place poor Lavender in and what trials she would have to endure until she finally came of age. No, this Kezia did not wish for her precious charge.

Well! Kezia exclaimed to her self, no more time for idle meanderings!

The children will soon be arriving at her door and there was much to be done. Yes, indeed, and so little time to prepare. Inanna help us!

The hour hand on the old Swiss clock crept closer and closer to four as the minutes ticked steadily past. Kezia was hurrying frantically to get everything done in time. The unexpected special meeting had put her