Crystal Song

The Beginning

Chapter 1

Atop a hill under and behind a waterfall Sai-Aisle sat. Her head laid against a very tall and broad form. The warmth of the stone she leaned against gave her comfort. And the communication between her and her friend seemed solid and the only thing real. Even the water's crash against the deadstone as loud as it was, was a far off inconsequencial thing. The warmth of the crystal form held her in its cocoon and the flow of knowledge was a comfort to her as well as an escape from what she was. No one knew that she was one of the chosen. No one really even cared. All of the well born stuck to the rigidness of thier society so that only those of that class were ever chosen to serve as ambassadors.

Sai!! Her brother called to her through thier mind link. He too was gifted but refused to aknowledge the bond he had with the Livestone. Sai! Mother is looking for you. She is angry that you have not done your duties today. Come quickly before you are polishing the deadstone along the walkway again! The frustration and worry was very clear in her brother's mind voice.

He was younger then her by two turns of the yearly sun and he considered himself her keeper and protector. No doubt he had made excuses for her again Sai emerged from the embrace of the Livestone and sat up fully. Standing and gaining her full awareness she carressingly laid her hand on the warm stone and felt the love the stone had for her. It was rare for any ambasador to have even this strong a connection. Sai knew this for a fact. She had studied hard in the classes she had taken on these subjects. Not to get good marks but to learn what she needed to know of the gifted. It had been several turns ago when the livestone began to speak to her. It had been frightening at first but she managed to keep the gift hidden. She was chosen she knew. But no one would ever aknowledge that fact. Sai knew that it would take the Crystal Form to inact her into the position she knew she was ment to have.

Sai emerged from her special place to find her brother climbing the hill below her. A frown marred her face and her lavendar eyes narrowed. How did he manage to find her. This place was well hidden and yet any time she came he knew exactly where she was. It did not matter where that it was she chose to communicate with the livestone.

There you are! Ossle said , exasperation clearly in his mind voice. I know what you do and you know that it is forbidden! What if you get caught? He was much taller and stronger then her and used that against her now by grabbing her arm to drag her with him. If you were not my most favorite sister I would tell the elders so that you would stop this nonsense of your dreamings.

I am your only sister Ossle. Sai said laughingly. Let go. I am comming and you are hurting my arm by dragging me.

Ossle let go when they were at the edge of the gates. The both of them walked into the city side by side. Sai's long robes none the worse for wear from her travels in the wildlands and Ossle's attire looked as if they had just been pressed. They had always been this way. Both held an affinity for the wildlands and were never marred by thier journies there. No one noticed thier passage as the streets were full of the bussle of the noonday activities.

Sai watched the others as they went here and there in the crystal streets. Everything hummed in normality but lately the hum had gotten stronger and more strident. But no one seemed to notice. Sai did. That was why she had gone out when she had work to do. She needed to know. As of yet the crystals knew nothing other then the vibrations of the universe where changing. They sensed no danger as of yet. But she did. A frown marred her face again as she considered it. The livestone had shown her all it knew of the reasons of the vibrational changes. It all seemed non-threatening but that did little to ease her worry. Something was happening she knew. But what? That at this juncture was unknown by everyone. Even the ambasadors didnt know. Her small hand brushed the burnished silver of her hair from her face as she stared out into the crouds of passing people as worry lit her eyes.

They arrived home and Sai slipped into the back courtyard to finish her work. The plants grew strong and healthy from her loving care. She began to sing the songs of growth and nourishment as she walked amoungst them. As her song lit the air the water from the ground poured up in little fountians to water the plants. Sai's heart melted to see the plants reach tward her. Thier loving sacrifice for the people's well being always touched her. They did not have to give of themselves but they did. Sai understood more then anyone in her family besides her brother the nature of existance on this world of thiers. Each lifeform lived for the other. Without any one of the forms the rest would die. Even the livestone was important as they soaked the warmth from the suns and directed it into the soil to warm and rejuvinate all. The livestone even cared for the people. Not many realized how important it all was or how interconnected.

Out of the corner of her eye Sai saw her mother watching her from the entrance to thier home. Her mother's sad eyes watched her with knowing. Sai knew that her mother knew. There was never any doubt. She also suspected that her mother had the gift as well.

Sai worked and sang till early in the evening and then returned home with gifts from the plants for thier evening meal. All of which were prepared with love and care. As the family sat down to eat the suns set fully on the city.

author: Mysti