Draska was born in the second winter on Targa Blue.As we all know the second winter is a violent though short lived phenomenon of nature that occurs only once every seven years.To be born in that cycle is to be cursed to a life of misery and pain say the native Whisperers.Most Targans go off world to give birth if their time falls near the second winter but Draska's mother was deaf,dumb and blind .She lived in the base of a hollow tree with an old dwarf named Moldo.She adored him because he had saved her life when she was thrown away by callous parents when she was an infant.
Shale turned her milky blue eyes towards her husband and saw the usual aura of colored light that she always saw around him.Now she was thrilled to see that same glow around their son.She snuggled him close and smiled .This was surely a gift from the great God above.How could such a beautiful life be called cursed.
Moldo finally tuned back into his frightened wife and sent her a reassuring message.He had to make a big decision now and he was at a loss as to what to do.Should he wish for the removal of the curse on his son or should he wish that his adoring wife be made whole?
The eerie strains slithered and writhed around the gnarled roots of the dark cellar ,rising to hang in the icy air above.
Far below them Moldo struggled to drag his half frozen wife back to the enchanted tree trunk.Pulling her through the door,he stumbled down into the cellar with her frigid body.Climbing into bed with her he fell into a sleep of sheer exhaustion.Many hours passed before he woke to hear her moaning,"My baby,my baby,where is my baby?"
Shale wept bitterly in Moldo's arms,"I'm so ashamed,"she told him,"I didn't mean to hurt you.I was just so overwhelmed.I had never seen or heard anything before."
But Shale could not wait to find her baby.She felt strong and filled with power .She could see,hear and speak,she was a god.When Moldo fell asleep a few hours later,she put on three layers of clothing and Moldo's fur coat.She wanted to kiss him but she was afraid he would awaken.She found a leather pouch and filled it with bread and cheese and a gourd of grog.beside these she placed acorns,buttons,a needle and thread and a small mirror.Holding up the mirror she looked at herself for the first time in her life.She had nothing to compare herself to except the horrid little dwarf but she was satisfied with her appearance.The long yellow hair fell in waves around an oval face with big blue eyes and cupid's bow lips.She smiled and then closed up the pouch and put it over her shoulder.
Inside the cave Shale could smell an animal.She had crawled to the back of the small opening and huddled there shaking violently when she felt a cold wet nose against her cheek.The creature sent a thought of fearful curiousity which Shale caught along with a vision of the animal itself.
Burning brightly through the cold night air,the wizard's carriage
Haven knew the pomp and circumstance of the palace life.She too had been stolen as a babe in arms.She too had been raised as the child of the queen but no matter what they did , she would not conform to their evil ways.In spite of seventeen years of mentoring ,Abbu Da Gast had finally given up on his prize pupil.Still ,she could have been allowed to simply exist within the confines of the castle had she not overtly challenged them.Thus she was now and forever a prisoner ,albeit a well treated one.
The young man turned his attention to Haven as soon as the guards were gone.He ran his fingers through his short auburn hair and dusted himself off.She laughed to see him preening when his face was smudged and his clothes were torn.
Above them in the castle,the revelry continued.
The sounds reverberated through the frozen forest .Shale tilted her head and listened and then set off in the direction of the commotion.
Crookshank returned with a heavy cloak and a knapsack.Entering the cell he clutched the girl to his chest and whispered,"You are leaving now.It is your only chance.The merriment will be our best hope for covering your escape."
