Excerpt: Tears Of Muse

Chapter 1

In the Guardian Sphere, dimensions away from reality, something happened in the Hall of Balance. The darkness was pierced by the arrival of a new flame burst to life on the smooth wall of Syrian stone. The Hall of Balance was the only living record of every balance in the universes whether within or without dimension. The actions and inscriptions upon it held meanings both symbolic and historical to every being alive.

It was guarded with six guards, who’d devoted their lives and wills to the service of the Guardian Sphere. They were preserved in a state of alertness, by the use of band stasis, a blue energy that supplied them with all necessary things of life, while they stood for eternal guard. There were four bands, one across the forehead, one on the chest, one on the stomach and one across the feet. Their posts were upon pedestals framing the doorways on each end of the Hall.

The spontaneous combustion was a sign of a new an unexpected chance and the sight of it, brought the guards in stasis to life. The blue energy bands flickered and disappeared as the flame grew from a tiny flicker to a bright light.

“Magda! Magda!” The head guard at the right end, called. He touched the carved stone pendant on his wrist and repeated the summons.

The cry echoed down the halls as blue stasis fields were removed from the guards on the outside of the Hall. They stepped down from their platforms, pole-weapons at the ready the undercurrent rippling through them of urgency and danger.

A rustle of shadow announced the winged arrival of Magda, herself. The first and only child guardian among them. She landed in a feathered cone, a soft trill breaking the new silence as she rolled her shoulders and stood to her full length.

The feathers seemed to melt into her as she stood tall, brushing invisible dust from the front of her cloak. “I trust this is something of importance, Grivean.” She muttered, moving forward to see into the hall.

Her breath caught in her throat as she stared. A sense of longing flickered across her face and then she shook her head. “Fetch Lyria. Quickly.” She waved her hands in dismissal. “Go, all of you!”

Grivean hesitated. “But Milady, you shouldn’t stay by yourself.”

Dark eyes narrowed into customary slits. “I did not ask your opinion, guard.” She said icily. “Go! Now! Lest I dismiss you for good.”

Grivean’s jaw shut and tightened. He gave a jerk of his head and the guards followed him out.

Magda let out a sigh, continuing into the hall, heading for the flame. The soft orange glow seemed to beckon to her as she glided forward, transfixed.

“So beautiful.” She heard herself murmur. “So very beautiful.” She stood in front and stared at it, watching the flames leap and dance against the stone wall. It was more than unusual phenomenon, it was prophecy of the Ancients.

Puzzlement overtook her as she stared at the flames. It almost seemed as if there were images, replaying in the heart of it. Over and over and over again. Magda inched closer, squinting against the heat.

Her hand automatically went up as she leaned forward.

“Magda!” Lyria’s voice ripped through the timeless air. “Don’t!”

Her warning was a half-second too late, as her voice startled the girl and Magda jumped, smashing face first into the flame.

A scream echoed through the Hall, then all was silent.

The sound of skirts and shoes whispered through the wall as Lyria rushed to her side. “Magda.” She whispered, gathering the girl in her arms and wincing at the blistering redness across her face.

The scent of smoke tinged the air. Lyria’s head snapped up in a hurry. Her mouth dropped open in surprise. “Child, what have you done?”