The Shaman
Is an enlightened being, and an advanced human being who takes many body forms, or at least, people she meets perceive her differently. Most often, she appears as an old crone, her maw of blackened, missing teeth croaks to the unwary.
At other times she appears as a middle aged woman of high stature, or as a twenty-something with alluring sexuality, and twice, as a young girl.
She appears to appear and disappear using magic, but Sun Kist reveals it is simply an advanced science, one not known to the Twelve Tribes, or the Ancestors. It is Druid in origin. This also is true for her seeming ability
to reveal her presence, or not, and to only certain people. This extends to her ability to influence minds, people's perception at least. This ability should rightly be understood as an advanced form of telepathy.
As crone, she leans heavily on a head high, ancient bone staff, or sometimes a shorter yew staff. She carries a willow wand, and has a dowsing twig. She is a master of earth power, herbs, and runes. She cast magical runes during
the forging of the Sword of Destiny.
The Shaman is a formidable force for good, and unlike most other elemental beings, is not tethered to Gaia, but to our Galaxy. She knows of other worlds inhabited by sentient beings, and that intra-galactic war is coming.
During the final chapters of book three, it becomes apparent the Shaman has been playing a very long game; she seldom appears, but each time she does is highly significant. One may wonder why she appeared out of the blue for the
marriage of Jien Noi and Jack, or attended the birth of Ræm?
It is revealed, this was all part of a far longer plan, one that included tests, such as Jack returning the Ring of the Earth to her, and reinstating the Old Religion.
Recent History Revealed
The Shaman based herself on the Island, as the shield protected her from other entities, and the advanced science of some life-forms that could detect her presence. Her prescience revealed troubles to come, and she became the unofficial
protector of the Twelve Tribes; she was especially intrigued by the Second.
Mostly she did not directly interfere with the path of life of others, and she watched Taris die of old age. Taris had been a good man, and the Shaman buried him with special honours, bequething his spirit to rest in peace with
Gaia; something that would bring benefits in the far distant future.
She kept watch on progress for myriad years, until the omens and augury of the near future, became intertwined with the ambitions of the Ogres and Last. There could be only one outcome: The Wrath of Gaia.
With a long-term plan in mind, she began to make small interventions, hoping to change the course of history to be lives. Her first act was to ask Dawn for assistanceJacks
backstory, Page 3 (.pdf), giving her a unique dragon pendant as reward; "This lucky charm is not yours to keep, an amulet for those who seek. Yours is not its power to hold, but for another who ventures bold."
Had the Shaman already chosen Jack to become the Second's new Guardian? Did she cause the shipwreck? Did she guide Jack to the Island shore, a distance mpossible to cover in the given time?
Later she ministrated at the wedding of Jack and Jien Noi, her first appearance for thirty years. In time she spoke to Rambling Longshanks of the Twelfth, asking them to gift Ræm the Ægus, and in return, she promised
them restoration of their homeland. The Shaman also protected the Giants from the Great Ogre during their journey to the Island.
Later, she honoured Ræm's birth. Perhaps the Shaman already foresaw what was to come, and laid claim to the child, if only for one purpose: Defeat the Great Ogre. She also cast the runes that blessed the Sword of Destiny,
a sword created for one purpose: Healing.
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