The Beginning of the End
It was a beautiful summer day in the land of Neopia. All around one could
smell the scent of tropical fruits floating in from Mystery Island, hear the
dim buzz of crowds shopping at the markets in Neopia Central Square and see
that everything pointed to a peaceful, average day. Even the usually eerie haunted
forest was particularly calm.
Shyral laid on her back looking up at the purple and pink clouds, that marked
the Higher Faerie Realm, seeing a couple of Barbats and Poppits amusing themselves
by flying in and out of the clouds.
Playing tag I bet, thought Shyral. Shyral was a Uni. A beautiful sky
blue in colour, a long mane of silver and her tail was of the same colour. Her
hooves were as golden as the sun. She was still young in Uni years but had a
wisdom that was well beyond her age. Like all NeoPets she could speak, read,
and pretty much do what her Companions could do. Companions were the people
of Neopia, were they were elves, faeries, humans and other races. They made
up half of the population of the world Neopia. And all companions had at least
one NeoPet bonded to them, but never more than four. Shyral’s Companion had
bonded two NeoPets, herself and her friend Goddess of Love. Even though Goddess
was technically a God now, Shyral chuckled to herself. Thanks to the secret
lab ray, Morgana took them to each and every morning had changed him from a
female to a male. Goddess was a cute Halloween Aisha. Goddess was neither as
old as Shyral nor as strong for Morgana tended to spoil him with games and treats.
Where as Shyral was trained to be a soldier in the army.
Morgana was the Knight Marshal for the Defenders of the Faerie Realm army.
A very beautiful but yet a fierce and intelligent young faerie. Morgana had
long raven black hair, silver eyes and a milky white complexion. Morgana was
a proud leader of the army and took time to train each battle Glenn member individually
if she needed to. The Defenders of the Faerie Realm were a strong, yet small
guild of Companions and their bonded pets, trying to do their part in keeping
Neopia safe. Especially the lower faerie realm where Morgana and the other Companions
were from. This realm was located at the heart of the Meadow of the Unis.
Thinking of Morgana, Shyral suddenly realized she needed to get back to headquarters.
Heading back towards the castle and flying threw the air Shyral noticed a small
faerie child crying on the out skirts of the meadow. Judging from the colour
Shyral noticed that the little faerie was a faerie of the element of Earth.
Quickly glancing around she noticed no other faeries around, no siblings, no
parents, and not a single faerie to be found. Shyral thought to herself, hmmm
this is very strange, for the Meadow of the Unis was famous for being the largest
faerie population in the lower realms. Walking slowly toward the little one,
so not to scare the poor child any more than she already was, Shyral gently
picked up the little faerie child.
"Oh No! Another MONSTER!" shrieked the terrified faerie.
"Sssh, little one I am not here to hurt you." Nuzzling the faerie close to
her chest, Shyral cooed in soothing tones. "What my darling has happened to
you? What monsters do you speak of?" asked Shyral.
The little faerie, who had become calm by the cooing from Shyral, suddenly
froze sitting up rigidly in her arms. "T-the monsters?" she sighed and closed
her tiny eyes for a moment. "Everyone’s gone now, my mother, my father and all
my sisters. Taken away by those horrible creatures." She started to cry, slowly
at first and then a torrent of tears followed. Shyral’s heart broke for the
little faerie.
"Listen my tiny one," said Shyral. "My name is Shyral, and I am a Captain in
the Defenders army. I will take you to our headquarters in the heart of the
meadows where you can ask Queen Avalona and Queen Aurora for help." Shyral gathered
her pack and placed the child on her back and flew off to see her superiors.
A few moments later Shyral spotted the Castle of the Defenders of the Faerie
Realm. A tremble of pure joy passed through her as it always did when gazing
upon the castle. For she belonged to a great guild that defended the faerie
realm for as far back as anyone could recall. She ruefully recalled the day
she was adopted by her Companion Morgana. Their relationship wasn’t the greatest
at first, but after numerous adventures and daring quests together they had
bonded. She almost couldn’t remember her former companion Lady of Avalon, for
she was almost as young as this little faerie when she was given to Morgana.
Looking over her shoulder she saw that the frightened faerie was fast asleep,
though her tiny face showed even in slumber the troubles that haunted her. Picking
the pace up, Shyral sped towards the castle keep.
When she got there, Morgana was busy in the courtyard. The whole guild in attendance
for Shyral quickly remembered today was the day the Glenn leaders met to take
on new apprentices. Shyral quietly entered the keep as not to disrupt the ceremony.
"Today is a wondrous day of celebration," announced Queen Aurora. "One that
sees our young guild members become ranking members of a chosen Glenn."
"Yes, my dear sister." Queen Avalona beamed, first at her twin sister and then
at crowd. "Today, girls and boys become men and women, taking their place with
in the ranks of the Defenders of the Faerie Realm."
"Morgana would you be so kind as to call forth the Glenn Masters at this time."
The Queens spoke this together. Shyral and everyone in attendance shivered with
happiness. For that was the reaction of all that were lucky enough to hear the
sister’s use their voices in unison. Hearing either speak was spellbinding enough
but to hear them speak at the same time was a magical occasion. The Queens were
twin sisters whom at birth arrived in this world with justice in their hearts
and fought many battles to free the faerie folk from the evil Balthazar, the
faerie trapper. Both had hair the colour of moonlight upon the water, teal blue
eyes, and light mocha coloured skin. They were both slender, as faeries tend
to be, and were identical right down to the matching crescent shaped scar on
their brows. Personality wise, they were as night is to day. Avalona tended
to be reckless, bold, out spoken, and extremely impish. Where as Aurora, was
reserved, mature, soft spoken, and when the mood suited her had a temper no
one wanted to cross. Everything they did they seemed to do together. They found
twin Unis on the same day, both were warriors, poets, and very good storytellers
and other such occurrences were not strange for these two sisters. Years later
the sisters became the Queens of the Faerie Realm at the request of the faeries,
and even the old faerie queen herself held these sisters in high esteem, and
since she had no heir to pass her land and titles to, she chose the sisters
to replace her.
"Hearken to me, Hearken to me!" Morgana called out. "Today we call forth the
Masters of Glenns. Come forth and take thy rightful places."
The first to take their place was Queen Avalona for she was also a Glenn master,
but only until the day one of her members surpassed her skill, she often joked.
"I have come forth to call my apprentices, as is my right as Glenn Master of
the Festivities and Designers Glenn." She spoke this formally and then broke
into a glittering of laughter. She then went to stand at her station, until
all the Glenn masters had been called.
Faerie of Insanity, was a very zany and mischievous faerie. She smirked at
Avalona for they were great friends and were often found together when mischief
was afoot. Insanity has eyes the colour of new snow, and hair that blazed like
fire. She was the tallest of the council members; she had an over powering presence
at times. Quick to be the center of any prank that maybe befalling some poor
servant or even the Queen herself. Her humour was infectious and no one could
ever stay angry with her, for her heart was pure.
"I have come forth to call my apprentices, as is my right as Glenn Master of
the Administration and of Physicians Glenn." Beside her walked her knight, Tiedkisses.
Tiedkisses was as mischievous as her leader was and her eyes sparkled with that
same light as Insanity’s. Tiedkisses became Sybelle’s (a.k.a. Insanity’s) knight
a few years before. By looking at her you’d never be able to tell that she was
Sybelle’s daughter. She had long flowing hair the colour of chocolate with streaks
of spun gold. Her eyes clear and clever shone a bright yellow. Not nearly as
tall as her mother, but very tall in her own right. They took their place beside
Avalona and all beamed at each other as if some great joke was about to take
place and not a serious formality.
"I have come forth to call my apprentices, as is my right as Glenn Master of
the Tale Spinners and Lore Keepers Glenn." This was spoken by one of the most
beautiful women of the Castle, Isadorafae. Hair the colour of honey, and eyes
of the same soft colour. Slight in height and weight, she looked delicate as
a water lily. She had a serious and solemn nature about her. She could be found
reading in the library, or researching some tidbit of knowledge to share. Unbeknown
to others she was also the Defenders spymaster. Isadorafae was the niece of
a distant Aunt to the Queens and Aurora favored her cousin much. Both cousins
looked upon her and smiled. While many of the male warriors sighed in reverence.
The thoughtful lady took her place beside Tiedkisses and in a rare moment of
humour poked her in the ribs, while maintaining the look of pure innocence. Tiedkisses
giggled and whispered something to Isadorafae that caused her to smile one of
her rare smiles. Morgana then stood beside her fellow Glenn Masters and stated.
"I have come forth to call my apprentices, as is my right was Glenn Master of
the Defenders Army."
With the Leaders called and at their stations, the soon to be apprentices were
called in. Each member was happy to be called my their new leader and soon the
ceremony was over and all retired until later that evening when a great feast
would be held in the new apprentices honour.
"Morgana!" Shyral called across the courtyard to her Companion. "I urgently
need council of you and the Queens!"
"Attend to us at the board chamber in 10 minutes, my dear attendant." With
that she left to find the guild council members.
Shyral went to her rooms to get ready for the council meeting. The little faerie
finally awoke.
"Where are we Shyral?" the tiny faerie asked.
"You are in the Faerie castle of the Defenders," Shyral stated. "I must make
ready for a council meeting so we can discuss your troubles little one."
"My name is Teasha, daughter of Ti’lla and Tho’yya," she proudly announced.
Then remembering that her parents were no longer with her, she wailed in sorrow.
"There, there little Teasha, we shall help if we can. The Council is very wise
and very brave. We shall find a solution to defeat these villains you speak
of." Shyral turned to get dressed in her uniform.
"Are you a solider Shyral?" Teasha asked
"Yes, I am Teasha. Morgana is my Companion and I am a Captain in the Army."
Shyral finished dressing.
"Are all the members faeries as well?" Teasha asked in wonder.
"All the members of council are, but not everyone with in these walls are faeries.
I know the Queens will be most alarmed to hear of the situation of the faeries
in the Vale." Shyral was still curious as to what had happened, but figured
that asking Teasha to recall her horror more than once was very cruel.
"It is time for us to attend to the council, let us be going." Shyral picked
up the little faerie and went to the door of her chamber.
"Thank you Shyral, I don’t know what I would have done if you had not come
along." Teasha rested her head on Shyral back. "You truly are a chivalrous Knight."
Shyral smiled and the left to go to council, all the while wondering what excursion
this little faerie was about to set the defenders on.
To be continued... | 
