“Maybe I was injured on the way to the cave.” She cursed herself as soon as the words escaped her lips. She hoped he would overlook her error.
“Maybe? No, there’s something else going on here.”
Painful silence stretched to the sound of crackling twigs as Aiden attempted to move. She could almost hear his thoughts clicking together with each sharp breath. “Leave it, Aiden.”
“No. It’s got to be the magic. What have you done, Shareis?”
She pressed her forehead against the cold wall. “Kal De Vas.”
“What?”
“I performed the Kal De Vas. In your language it means so that they may see again.”
“Wait… are you say--”
“I’m saying the caster loses their sight to balance the spell.”
“You’re blind because you saved me?”
“Yes.” She pushed away from the wall. “And I’d do it again.”
Chapter 54
Farius’s and Olivia’s healing helped Frasie considerably, but her whole body ached from the trauma. She nestled near the fire, soothing her sore muscles with its radiant warmth. Olivia melted snow while Farius fetched enough firewood to last them through the evening. Her stomach growled, but she didn’t complain. She was lucky to be alive.
“How’s your leg?” Olivia asked.
“A lot better, thanks.” She stood. “I can put weight on it.”
She ignored Olivia’s gesture to sit down. “Take it easy, Frasie. You’re still mending.”
Frasie stood by the window. “Your shield is so pretty.”
Olivia chuckled. “Thank you. I think that’s the first compliment my barriers have ever received.”
The magical wall crackled with energy, yet was translucent, allowing her to catch distant glimpses of the smoldering city.
“You’re thinking of Aiden, aren’t you?”
“I am,” she admitted. “I hope he’s alright.”
“Was he in the city?”
“Yes. He was helping me defend it.” She turned to Olivia. “We killed hundreds of those monsters, but they kept coming. And then the tower fell. Farius told me we’d look for him after I was healed.” She sighed. “I don’t know how anyone could have made it out of there alive.”
“You did.”
“Only because Farius rescued me.”
Olivia’s hand rested on her shoulder. “I managed to escape. I saw a few others, including a woman carrying someone out of the city. There is hope.”
“I’m sorry. I’m going on about Aiden and you’re worried about Narelle.”
“It’s alright. We can put our worries first. It doesn’t make us selfish.”
“Aiden put me first. I ignored his advice.”
Farius entered and stacked more firewood in the corner.
“Did you find anything to eat?” she asked.
“No.”
Olivia fumbled through a pouch on her belt. “I have some dried Elvemon berries.”
Her face lit with excitement. “I’d love some warm tea!”
Her mouth watered as Olivia dropped the berries in a cup with a pleasing plinking sound. “We’ll have to enjoy one cup at a time.” She filled it with water, boiled it over the fire, then offered it to Frasie after it had cooled a bit. “You should have the first drink.”
She eagerly accepted the warm mug. “This is wonderful. Reminds me of home.” She passed the cup to Olivia. “Where are you from?”
“I was born in Masola, but I moved to Lahara five years ago.”
Farius took a drink. “How did you meet Narelle?”
“We met in the market by chance.” She chuckled. “Oh, what am I saying? Nothing happens by chance. As soon as we bumped into each other – quite literally, we both knew who we were. Apart from willingness to show more skin, we are physically indistinguishable from humans. But a Skilla knows another Skilla. As far as we knew, we were the only two Skilla in Lahara.”
Farius shook his head. “I still cannot believe I missed it. I should have been able to see through her glamor.”
Olivia playfully tugged at Farius’s beard. “I have sorely missed the company of druids.” Olivia turned to Frasie. “You see, my dear, they consider themselves the original race. They can get quite full of themselves. But their arrogance is forgivable. They have much to be proud of.” She grinned and finished in a whisper behind her hand. “They don’t mean to be snooty.”
She giggled.
“Our stoic, detached nature can come across as arrogance.” He took another sip. “Perhaps even snooty.”
Olivia grinned and nodded. “Good point, Farius.”
She shrugged. “I had never seen anyone but a human in the Jeweled Woods.”
“Skilla have lived in the Woods,” Olivia said. “In fact, I’d wager you knew one and didn’t know.”
“Really?”
“We tend to keep to ourselves.”
“That is precisely why Cherin and Ren wanted to raise Niv in the Woods,” Farius said.
“Makes sense,” she replied.
“There was once a time when Skilla, Proctors, and Druids were the dominant species throughout the entire continent.” Olivia offered her the last sip. “So many Proctors were killed in the Proctor Wars. And Skilla have been marginalized by an increasingly domineering Ael’Shanar.”
“Are there fewer Druids?” she asked.
“There are,” he replied. “Our long lifespans and tendency toward complacency have led our people into a prolonged period of stagnation.”
“I have never heard a druid be so candid about their own,” Olivia said.
“Our lack of will to change is perhaps our greatest failing.” He pointed to her. “Which is why our human friends are slowly inheriting the lands. I must credit my wife for giving me a better perspective on this. Introspection is not easy for us.”
Olivia sighed. “All the old races could benefit from human blood.”
Farius shook his head. “Everyone will be in peril if Vorea is not stopped. And with this necrotic army, I fear killing her will not be enough.”
Chapter 55
Niv lay on the couch, ready to meditate.
“Before we do this, I must explain the risks,” Dailen said.
She propped herself up on her elbows. “Risks?”
“The astral plane is a phenomenal place to visit, but it is not for the weak of heart.”
“How could meditation be dangerous?” she asked.
“You are connecting directly to the ether that makes up what we call the spiritual realm. It, like the real world, is full of peril. We grow used to this reality and know to avoid its dangers.” He pointed to the fireplace. “You know never to stick your hand in that fire, or to walk on thin ice. The astral plane can be just as unsafe.”
“I have no choice,” she replied. “It’s the only way I can save my mother and put an end to Vorea’s madness.”
“Indeed. I admire your bravery. Then we shall begin. Are you comfortable?”
“Yes,” Niv replied.
“Close your eyes. Relax every single muscle in your body.”
She melted into the cozy couch. The fireplace crackled, sending soothing rays of warmth directly to her soul.
“Detach yourself from your surroundings. Let yourself fall completely into the darkness. Let any swirl of light cast in your vision dance and fade, and any thoughts that drift in move through without consideration. Allow only my voice to penetrate the void of your senses.”
Her breath slowed as she slipped into meditation.
“As you fall deeper, let the boundaries that define you dissolve.”
The edges of her aura frayed, blurring the lines between her identity and her surroundings. Small pieces of her consciousness leaked into the ether, sending a tingle throughout her body.
“You slowly become one with the world. You are returning to your inherent state: an indistinguishable part of nature.”
She hovered in a flow of energy, no longer able to feel the couch beneath her
. Encased in this waterfall of pure thought and creation, her senses returned.
Dailen now communicated telepathically with her.
“You are in the chaotic stream of creation. Without consciousness you cannot easily discern individual elements. You must fetch a piece of your divine self, your spark of free will, to help you navigate these waters. To do this, search for the light within you. Let it set ablaze a torch in your mind, illuminating truth.”
She envisioned touching a stick wrapped with an oil-soaked cloth to the fire that burned within her. Light surrounded her and the waters parted. Individual images emerged from the chaotic blur - vignettes of events frozen in time.
“The past, present, and future are all together. There is no distinction without consciousness. We are solely focused on the present. Use your mind to focus on the now. Pay no attention to the past nor dwell on the future.”
She saw herself from an outside perspective. Dailen sat next to her in his chair while she lay peacefully on the couch. A silver, wispy strand of energy extended from her perspective to her physical body.
“The cord that binds you to your carnal form is your lifeline. It is sturdy and will not hinder you, but you must guard it. If it is cut, you will die.”
What seemed an ethereal phenomenon now was her most treasured possession.
“You are now free to travel anywhere you want. But you must be aware that while walking the astral plane you are more easily detected by other spirits and those who practice magic. Your soul travels these roads well, but your consciousness is not familiar with this world. You must transverse it with care.”
She scanned the ether for Shareis’s presence. A growing sensation tugged at her consciousness, drawing her to a specific point in time and space. Her passionate focus guided her to Shareis’s location. Two people appeared in the darkness. Though the surroundings were fuzzy, she knew for certain it was Shareis and Aiden.
Both were injured but asleep. She could sense discord in both their bodies. In this form, impressions, sounds, and smells were more prominent than sight. It was clear that both Shareis and Aiden were physically uncomfortable. Their location was cold, damp, and smelled of mold. She felt helpless.
She focused on Shareis, delighting in a glimpse of her slender face and perfect complexion. She wished she could touch her, hold her, and soothe her discomfort. She envisioned giving her a quick kiss, and in that precise moment, Shareis stirred. She enveloped her in a comforting blanket of energy, then turned her attention to Frasie.
She quickly connected to her friend and noticed Farius was with her. She was relieved to know they were warm and relatively comfortable. Both of them were sleeping, but they were not alone. An unknown person was nearby, and they were wide awake. She could feel the dark-haired woman probing the surrounding area with her mind.
“Who’s there?” the woman asked telepathically.
“A friend to Frasie and Farius. Do you mean them harm?”
The woman smiled. “Rest easy, spirit. They are my new friends. I wouldn’t hurt them.”
Her response seemed genuine, and she sensed no malevolence. A protective barrier surrounded them, but she couldn’t determine its source. She hoped it granted them safety. She left her friends and returned to Dailen’s home. After spending a few moments to collect her thoughts, she opened her eyes.
“Well done.”
She stared into the fire. “That was an incredible experience.” She grinned. “I saw Shareis.”
“Indeed. It can take years to master the art of astral travel, and you have done so in mere hours. You continue to impress me.”
“They are in distress. It pains me to see them suffering while I sit a warm house with plenty of food and drink.”
Dailen stood next to the fireplace. “So much death and destruction has visited the world today. And yet your friends survived.”
“I was spotted by someone. A woman. I didn’t know her. She was with Farius and Frasie.”
“Other sensitive beings who walk the astral plane may sense your presence. It is not uncommon.”
“She seemed harmless. I admit, though, a piece of me was missing.”
“How do you mean?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I felt a longing.” She pointed to her chest. “Right here.” She clutched the amulet. “I didn’t have this.”
Dailen sat next to her on the couch. “The Amulet of Balance has its own free will, its own divine spark. It can join you in your astral travels, but it must be asked to do so.”
“How would I do that?”
“I am not certain.”
She noticed a distinct absence of confidence when the amulet was not around her neck. She removed it once while bathing in a creek on the way to Lahara and disliked the unease caused by its absence. From that point forward, she decided to never be without it. She probed her memory, considering each interaction she had with the necklace.
“Wait… I might know,” she blurted. She grabbed the amulet and gazed into it. The ruby red stone glowed as her stare intensified. “Something about this is captivating.”
“Be careful,” Dailen warned.
Sadness washed over her as she continued her stare. The stone shone brightly, flaring to fill her vision. Soon, everything faded to black.
Where am I?
She saw nothing but darkness in every direction. This wasn’t the astral plane. She was still in her body. A soft whimper pierced the silence. Her heels clicked on the marble floor as she walked toward the sound—a small boy sobbing. His cries were partially muted by a fancy white handkerchief.
She knelt and put her hand on his shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
The blond boy looked up at her, his pale green eyes filled with tears. “Don’t come too close. I am evil.”
She patted his back. “How can you be evil?”
He presented his blood-soaked hands. “Look!”
“I don’t understand.”
A pitcher appeared next to him. He picked it up and poured water over one of his hands. “It won’t come off. See?”
“Who did you kill?” she asked.
His sobbing intensified. “I don’t know. I lost count.”
She poured water over his palm, but the stains remained. She tried to scrub them clean, but he jerked away from her.
“Don’t!”
“I’m just trying to help.”
He folded his arms, keeping his hands out of sight. “You can’t do that.”
She recalled what Mae had told her about the amulet absorbing the unwanted effects of her magic. “You are bearing my burden.”
He sniffed and nodded.
“Oh. I… I didn’t know. I will stop using the amulet.”
He grabbed her arm. “No. Please… don’t.”
“But I’m hurting you.”
He buried his face in his hands. “I’ve seen so many people die. I kept hoping each new person who wore the amulet would be good, but they all were greedy. But you, Niv’leana - you, have a good heart.”
“Maybe, but I am far from perfect.”
“You have important work to do. Leave it on so we can finish it before you turn.”
“Turn?”
“Everyone does.” He looked away. “I take their pain, and the killing becomes easy. It makes them horrible.”
“Then I won’t use it any more than I have to.”
He shook his head. “I’ve heard that, too.”
His words pained her. She could easily see how unchecked consequences could corrupt her soul. “After Vorea is defeated, I will take it off.”
He smiled. “I hope so. I will follow you.”
She pulled him in for a hug. His anguish was so pervasive that it pained her to hold him. She struggled to maintain her embrace.
“You can’t stay here much longer.”
“I don’t know how to thank you,” she said.
He took her hand. “Someday, set me free.”
Chapter 56
Frasie stared
at Olivia, waiting for her to awaken. She found such delight in watching others sleep. She wasn’t sure why. It was quite an odd habit, for sure. Nivvy scolded her countless times for gazing while hovered over her. She would pinch her nose and count the seconds until she snorted and swatted her away. The whole process of sleep fascinated her.
Olivia opened her eyes and greeted her stare with a slow blink. “You are a strange one, aren’t you?”
She shrugged. “Lots of people would agree with you.”
Olivia sat upright and studied her carefully. “No. I rushed to judgment. You are an old soul, my friend.”
“I’m only nineteen.”
Olivia chuckled. “That’s not what I mean. You have been through many lives. And yet you see the world through such innocent eyes. I think your soul finds humor in its faux naivety.”
She nodded. “Sounds good. But I don’t know what you said.”
Olivia laughed as she fuzzed her hair. “It means, my dear, you are a wise like an owl and crazy like a fox.”
Farius returned. “Your barrier is starting to fail, Olivia.”
Olivia stood. “Then I suppose it’s time to leave.” She put her hands on the mantle and sighed. “I’m really going to miss this place.”
Farius stared at Olivia. “Where are you headed?”
Olivia looked out the window. “I was looking for Narelle.”
“You can come with us if you like,” she said.
She could feel his disapproval even though he remained silent. Olivia looked at them both and smiled. “Looks like I’m stuck with you two.”
Frasie grinned. “You could do worse.”
Olivia raised an eyebrow. “Maybe.” She patted the sides of her hips. “Then let’s go.”
The barrier was still intact near the ground, but in tatters above their heads. Energy crackled in chaotic patterns where the shield used to be. They cautiously approached the barrier.
Olivia extended her palms. “Take my hand.”
She and Farius each held Olivia’s hands while they passed through the barrier unharmed.
“My daughter is in the Den’tari foothills,” Farius said. “Frasie and I were going to take refuge there.”
Frasie looked up at him. “But you said we’d search for Aiden.”
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