by Elizabeth Puckett

One summer eve Azzi the Shoyru was out picking her favourite berries next to the Silver Pool. She was putting three into her basket for every one that she ate as she progressed down the row of bushes. Before popping another berry into her mouth she noticed a firefly that had alighted on her hand. Gently she blew it off and watched it fly. Noticing that the sun was setting and seeing that her basket was full she headed to her home at the edge of the pool. Once inside she covered her basket and prepared for bed. Snuggling down into her soft bed she dozed off in seconds, but her deep sleep was interrupted by a dream…

In the dream Azzi was running as fast as she could through the woods, but these weren't the friendly woods that she was used to. It was strange but still she ran, not knowing who or what she was running from. She ran harder and faster until she came to a clearing…a meadow. She stopped and turned to face her follower when out of the woods came a tall shape with a long, flowing, purple silk cape. From under the hood peered the face of evil, an orange striped muzzle of a Lupe.

"Azzi, your people will suffer!" The smooth voice spoke to Azzi.

Turning with fear she ran into a Nimmo with a kind smile on her face. "Azzi, come with me. Search for Bouli on Alocost Mount. She will help you." She left Azzi with those soft tones.

Startled, Azzi sat up straight in her bed. Sweat dripping from her face, she gathered her thoughts and got out of bed. "It's just a dream, just a dream," she repeated to herself, but as she folded up her bed she noticed a bright colored bracelet on her wrist. Looking at it carefully she noticed a picture in the middle of the band.

"This is not mine," she thought to herself.

The words barely came out of her quivering mouth. Taking a step backward she quickly threw it to the ground and ran into the breaking dawn light outside of her little home.

"A drink from the Knowing Pool will guide me," she thought.

Gazing in the direction of the mountains, she quickly turned and trotted in the opposite direction towards the Knowing Pool. Arriving at the Knowing Pool Azzi settled herself beside the edge. Dipping her hand into the cool water she lifted her hand to her lips and took a drink. The taste, refreshing and calming, made her smile a little. The water was sweet but she did not take another drink. She closed her eyes and began to talk, not out loud but still it echoed, "Oh knowing pool, help me with my troubles for I call on thy wisdom."

Opening her eyes and gazing into the water she saw the kind face of Liah, the princess Pheophin, who is the guardian of the pool and the source of the wisdom. She is kind but only gives her wisdom to those in real need.

She said, "Azzi, you seek help on your dream. Listen to your dream. You will find Bouli on Alocost Mount. Soon there will be Lupes in this wood and the Shoyrus will have to flee, but if you follow Bouli's words and do what she says you may save the woods. Be careful on your journey for there are watchers already."

Her smiling face faded and Azzi stood to thank her. Azzi, now on a mission, had something she had to do. With a new light in her eyes she walked home. Thoughts appeared in her mind. How would she make it, and how could someone like her save a race all by herself? She came home to her hut and began packing food, clothing and utensils. Then, she set out to find supplies for a weapon. This was the beginning of her new life.

To Be Continued....