A secret unmasked

Ciara's curiosity was getting the best of her. Upon further inspection of the wood covering the tunnel, she discovered a loose rock in the tunnel wall to the right of the wood covered opening. She examined the stone more carefully. When she pulled down on the stone, she heard a definite click. The wood in the wall suddenly swung open like a doorway, giving her entrance to the side passage beyond. Ciara smiled to herself as she walked through the entrance, the wood doorway swinging closed behind her. She was now committed to finding whatever lay ahead of her.

The tunnel gradually sloped downward, and darkness closed in aound Ciara on all sides. She decided to risk a little light, and spoke a spell of illumination. A tiny orb appeared over her head, and lit the path before her. Ciara could now see the tunnel did slope downward for quite some distance. The air also seemed to grow thick and heavy with humidity as she continued down. Finally the tunnel leveled off, and the air gradually grew cooler.

Ciara could see a light up ahead, and quickly extinguished her floating orb. As she approached the end of the tunnel, she could see it opened into a great hall. Blinding shafts of light from the caverous ceiling flooded the room. She surveyed the great hall from the end of the tunnel, cautiously. In the middle of the hall stood what looked like a golden pedestal. Atop the pedestal, suspended in mid air, was a great sword. Ciara could sense the power flowing from it. Old dusty skeletons, some in armor, some in tattered rags, lie strewn about the floor. "Nothing but the dead here" she thought to herself as she entered the great room. Two thrones stood at the far end of the room while closed chests sat beside them. There were four exits in the room, two of which were on the throne side.

Ciara walked up to the pedestal. There on top of the pedestal sat a dusty, closed, leather bound book. Ciara wiped the dust from the cover. A picture of a beautiful young woman with dark red hair and piercing violet eyes seemed to leap out at her. She opened the cover to the first page, which read "These are the chronicles of Gwenipher, Sorceress of Trianamin."

Ciara watched as the sword began to glow. Sparks flew from its tip and cascaded down over the pedestal like fireworks. Then in a bright flash of light, the woman from the book's cover stood before Ciara. She was even more beautiful than Ciara imagined as she stood before her, dressed in a milk white gown. The woman approached Ciara and caressed her face. "Ciara, it has been so long since last I saw you. There is so much to discuss. Come, my precious daughter. Let us talk a while." She took Ciara by the hand, and led her to the thrones.

Ciara was speechless for a moment. "Mother? Is that really you?"

"Yes, it's really me."

"But my parents were both fairies."

"Your adopted parents were fairies. Your father was a fairy, and I loved him very much. It was our union which created you." She sat down on the throne, then continued. "I know you have lots of questions, and they will be answered. Many of your answers you will find in the book you hold. But for now, the world at large is in danger. That is why you are here. The sword you see before you was once your father's. When he fell in battle, I could no longer live without him. I entrusted your care to your father's brother, and his wife. They are your adopted parents. After I was sure you were safe, I cast a spell which put my spirit and my power into your father's sword. I have been waiting for you to find me."

"But mother, what am I supposed to do?"

"Ciara, give me your amulet, and stand before me."

Ciara removed her amulet, and handed it to her mother.

"This amulet contains your power. But that power must no longer be contained. It is time for you to receive it." Gwenipher threw the amulet at Ciara's feet, shattering it to pieces. Suddenly a strange blue light surrounded Ciara, spinning around her before it finally entered into her through her mouth.

Ciara's entire body felt electrified. Her life passed before her in a flash. She saw the day she was born, the smiles on the faces of her mother and father. She saw the **** of her father at the hands of a great black troll, and felt the loss and sorrow of her mother. She saw herself growing up as a little girl, never knowing who she was until now. Now she knew, and now she understood. She was Princess Ciara of the lost kingdom of Trianamin. It was her duty to stop the scourge of the great black trolls and avenge her father's ****.

Ciara cried as she embraced her mother. She thought of all she had been through, and how arrogant and naive she had been. "Shhh, Ciara. Don't dwell on your past. Knowledge is power, and now you have the power to change things." Gwenipher dried Ciara's tears and kissed her. "I must go back soon. But I will always be with you, as will your father. We live on through you, and your father's sword. There are clothes and armor in the chests with other things you may need. Take them, and use them well. As long as you weild the sword, your father and I will protect you. With my essence dwelling inside of its blade, you hold a great elemental power that none can stand against." She kissed Ciara one last time. "Now I must go, and your quest must begin." Gwenipher disappeared, and the sword flashed brightly.

Ciara opened the chests. Inside she found a scabbard, gauntlets for her arms, a leather halter and mini skirt, and a mini dress made of light chain mail. She also found a knapsack containing gold coins and some well preserved fairy food. After she changed her clothes, Ciara stuffed her old dress into the knapsack. Then she took hold of the sword, brought it to her lips, and kissed it. "I love you mother, I love you father" she said before putting it in its scabbard.