• The One Forest
    Prologue

    Veera paced the hall impatiently, hands clasped behind his back. “I’m the Master, for heaven’s sake!” shouted Veera. “I have the right to know how my wife is doing!”

    “Oh stop your blubbering, Master Veera,” an old woman snapped as she stepped out from behind the closed doors.

    “Mel! How is Lauren doing? Is everything going okay?”

    “Everything is fine, Veera,” chuckled Mel. “Lauren wished for you to stand by her for this part. Will you, Veera?”

    “Yes!” exclaimed the Master. “Yes a thousand times over!”

    Mel smiled and moved aside to let Veera in the room. The Master scurried into the room and immediately sought out Lauren. She was lying in a large bed propped up by several pillows. Her beautiful face was wane and glistened with sweat.

    “Oh thank God you’re here!” Lauren gasped when Veera took her hand in his. “I hate this! I just want it to be over!”

    “It’s alright, love. It’ll be over soon,” crooned the Master.

    “I know its just- Ahhhh!" screamed the woman

    “Here it comes, Lauren. Don’t worry -- you’re doing fine,” Acacia said.

    Lauren nodded her head as she grimaced in pain. The Mistress squeezed Veera’s hand for comfort. Just as Veera was beginning to worry about the numbness in his hand a baby’s wail filled the room. Lauren released her husband’s hand and fell back against the pillows.

    “Well done, love,” whispered Veera in a stunned state. He couldn’t believe it. He was a father!

    “Congratulations Lauren, Veera, you are now the proud parents of a baby boy,” announced Acacia, handing Lauren her bundled child.

    “Oh, Veera! Look -- he has your eyes!” exclaimed Lauren.

    Veera bent down and moved a blanket aside to see for himself. The baby had stopped crying and was now staring around the room with interested gold eyes. Veera smiled.

    “He's a perfect mixture of you two,” said Mel. “He has your eyes, Veera, and Lauren’s black hair. He is certainly a beautiful child.”

    “The only thing that remains now is to name him. What shall he be named?” Acacia demanded.

    “Aiyo,” answered Veera.

    “What a lovely name!” agreed Lauren.

    “Welcome to the lands of Ashabion, Aiyo Sareheart, Son of Veera and Lauren, rulers of the land. May your life be filled with many wonders and happiness,” blessed Aiyo’s Grandmother as she spilled black, green, and silver leaves over him.

    ---

    “Is he the one you were searching for, Master?” a hideous demon asked.

    “Yes. He is,” said a little girl. She was circling the babe’s face in the water, an impish grin on her face. “He is the one who will either kill me or die by my hand alone.”

    “Shall we kill him now then, Lady Deiloa?” the demon asked.

    “No, Caloth, you idiotic demon. He is only a babe and what fun is it to kill something that does not fight back?” snapped Deiloa.

    Caloth deflated with disappointment.

    “Do not worry, Caloth. I do not plan on letting him have a happy childhood. You may torture him any way you please at that time,” promised Deiloa.

    A monstrous grin split across the demon’s face.

    Deiloa turned her attention back to the pool of water. The babe was now laughing joyfully at his father. Deiloa felt a deep hate burn within her. “ Laugh while you can, Aiyo, for when the time comes your breath shall be silenced by me.”