She poured herself a cup of tea. “I was restless, but Ma’tol and I talked about the amulet. After we were done, he cast a healing spell that helped considerably.”
“Ma’tol is an excellent healer, and a wise Druid,” Lyndoni said. “I’m glad you met. I trust him, and his wisdom, but I have personal experience in dealing with the amulet. It is not so easily forgotten.”
“If I free the avatar and the amulet is destroyed, then I will have no option but to adjust. There will be no going back.” She looked at the amulet on the top shelf. “No nagging reminder.”
“Yes. But you must know—destroying the amulet will affect you at a very deep level. The energy released will be tremendous, and your spirit can only handle so much.”
“Would it be possible to redirect that energy elsewhere?” she asked. “Perhaps into the spell to break the seal on Mae’s jar?”
Lyndoni thought a moment. “Yes… I think so. You’ll absorb some of it. It’s unavoidable. But yes… that might work!” Lyndoni’s excitement faded. “There are considerable risks, though. Forcing that much power into an already delicate and intense ritual can be dangerous.”
“It would increase the chances of success, wouldn’t it?”
“Yes, but it will also increase the danger. The agony from all past wearers of the amulet might be forced into you instead. That could be fatal. Are you sure you want to take that chance?”
She took another glance at the amulet. She still felt better, but she feared a return of her withdrawal. “I don’t know if I’m strong enough to resist its pull.”
“You are,” Lyndoni replied. “But I know it’s important to fulfill your promise to the avatar.”
“Will you help me prepare?”
“If you’re sure,” Lyndoni replied. “I, and the rest of the Druids, are behind you.”
Chapter 48
All the Druids in the grove sat on the ground facing the altar. Farius sat in front, holding the jar with Maeva. Pinecones dipped in incense smoldered in four braziers at each of the cardinal points around them, filling the air with a sweet aroma. The power gathered was palpable, even before the ritual began.
“I’ve never seen so many Druids in one place,” Niv said.
“There are two hundred and eighty-eight Druids in the grove, and over four hundred and thirty on this planet,” Lyndoni replied. “They have all assembled to help you.”
Lyndoni took her hand and guided her in front of the altar. “Brothers and sisters, we are gathered to aid our sister, Niv’leana, with two difficult trials. With our help, Niv will break the dark magic seal around the jar that imprisons Maeva, Farius’s wife.” Lyndoni held the amulet high above her. “To further empower her spell, she will be destroying the Amulet of Balance and freeing the avatar.”
The audience stirred over such an ambitious challenge. She took the necklace from Lyndoni and the jar from Farius, then set them on the altar. She turned to address the Druids.
“In Selandis, great things are expected of me. I am not complaining—the challenge brings out the best in me. But here, I was accepted as one of you from the moment I stepped into the grove. There were no expectations except for the ones I had of myself, and you all have supported me with unwavering devotion. I’ve been blessed to be here about three months, and in that time, I’ve learned so many things. I am now a Druid and honored to be part of this family. Thank you.”
Farius beamed with pride. Lyndoni smiled and took a seat next to Farius. “Our power is yours, Niv’leana.”
In unison, the Druids echoed, “Our power is yours, Niv’leana.”
She turned to face the altar and sat cross-legged in front of it. She placed her hands on her knees and closed her eyes, entering a meditative state. She immediately made a connection with the Amulet of Balance. In the darkness, she saw the avatar. She approached and knelt next to him.
“I have come to fulfill my promise. I am sorry it took so long.”
He looked up at her. “I never lost faith in you.”
“I almost lost faith in myself. You know I’m going to destroy the amulet, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
She took his hand. “Will you be alright?”
“I will finally be free.”
She hugged him, feeling the overwhelming pain he bore in their embrace.
“Thank you,” she said.
She gently pulled away and retreated deep into the corners of her mind. She picked up the amulet and focused on it, envisioning the gem heating from the immense energy gathered within her. Flashes of actions witnessed and absorbed by the amulet filled her vision. She recoiled at the violence and devastation wrought by wielders of the amulet. She remained strong and endured the horror, knowing she must accomplish her task.
The stone heated past the point she could hold it, so she set it back on the altar next to the jar and opened her eyes. The Amulet of Balance glowed a bright cherry red. The searing heat radiating from it felt like fire on her skin. The Druids sent a pulse of energy toward her, and she passed it to the amulet. The gem shone so brightly she could barely stand to look at it.
She opened herself to the power contained in the amulet and directed it toward the seal on the jar. The jar shook violently on the altar, and the rim of the glass started to melt. The waves of energy from the Druids began to engulf her. Now was the time.
She closed her eyes and extended her arms toward the altar, focusing all of her, and her Druid brothers’ and sisters’ intent into one condensed pulse of power. The sheer weight and density of the energy burned her skin and shook her body to its core. She feared her soul would be ripped apart from the overwhelming power.
Her vision blurred, and she began to lose touch with reality. Screams from the victims of all the amulet’s bearers echoed in her ears. She choked on the stench of the victims’ charred flesh. She scraped together every shred of willpower that remained and fought fiercely to maintain her identity among the utter chaos.
She feared the energy, sadness, and insanity was too much for one person to bear. Her connection with the present began to slip through her fingers. The hallucinations and agony were now unbearable. She couldn’t go on.
And then, the avatar reached out to her. In one last act, unrestrained by his previous prison, he lent her a fraction of his strength. It was more than enough. Her mind settled, her shaking stopped, and a clarity of mind and purpose flowed through her that she had never known.
With ease, she gathered all her and the Druid’s power and released it. The jar and amulet shattered in unison. Tiny shards of glass sprayed everywhere. Somehow, it didn’t cut her, but a large shard of the amulet struck her chest. She put her hand on the shard and it immediately melted away, leaving a deep gash.
She ran her fingers along the edges of the cut to find miniscule specs of ruby from the amulet’s stone. A wave of overwhelming sadness enveloped her, causing a tremendous ache in the pit of her soul. A wispy image of the avatar appeared before her.
“I’m going home now, Niv’leana. Thank you.”
Chapter 49
Niv awoke to a hand resting on her shoulder. “It worked!” She hugged her mother and wiped away tears. “It really worked1”
Lyndoni chuckled. “You sound surprised.”
“I never doubted you for a moment,” Farius said.
The avatar’s pain still seared in her chest, but she didn’t care.
Farius embraced his wife. “I’m so happy to see you again, love.”
Mae returned his hug with a distant stare.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
Mae brushed off her disturbed expression and smiled. “I’m… I’m just glad to be free.”
“What did you experience?” Lyndoni asked Mae.
Mae took a deep breath. “Everything. I was awake for the entire time. I couldn’t sleep. It was a constant struggle.”
She and Lyndoni put her hand on Mae’s shoulder.
Mae wiped away a tear. “I do remember a very lonely h
usband and a sweet daughter spending time with me. I wanted so much to be with you both.”
She leaned her forehead against her mother. “I am so sorry. I wish I could have saved you sooner.”
Mae put her hand on her cheek. “You did all you could, dear.”
“I’ll open the circle and end the ritual,” Lyndoni said. “You three need to spend some time together.”
She hugged Lyndoni. “Thank you.”
Before they departed, they turned to the assembled crowd.
“Thank you all for your help,” Farius said.
Ma’tol approached. “As I told your daughter, we all need a help now and then. When a Druid marries, their spouse joins our family. There is no distinction.”
Niv contemplated their generous help on the walk toward Farius’s house.
“Where is the amulet?” Mae asked.
Niv put her hand on the scar. “It was destroyed.”
“Destroyed?” Mae asked. “How?”
“I promised to free the avatar after I stopped Vorea. I destroyed the amulet and set him free, helping me break the seal on the jar that held you captive.”
“I see,” Mae replied. “Who is High Priestess?”
“I am. Currently Emira is High Priestess in my absence.”
Mae nodded. “Good. I am glad you were able to stop Vorea.”
“Our daughter has come a long way in a short time,” Farius said. “She already has merged with a fox and mastered her use of Druidic magic.”
“That is wonderful,” Mae said.
They reached Farius’s house and took a seat on the pillows scattered on the floor. Farius put his arm around his wife, and Mae sagged into his protective embrace.
“You were sorely missed,” Farius said.
“I missed both of you. How is Cherin, Ren… and Cabrina?”
“I haven’t been back to see my parents,” she replied. “As for Cabrina… Vorea used necrotic magic on her to raise an undead army. Lahara was burned to the ground.”
Mae gasped. “Oh no.”
“I know you and Cabrina were close,” Farius said. “I am sorry.”
“She was a promising student,” Mae said. “Tell me, Niv, how is Selandis? Did Vorea leave it in shambles?”
“Depressed and starving people filled the streets. Vorea had allocated all the city’s wealth toward building an army. She took her army to the capital cities and installed a puppet government. War-weary Masola rolled over for her, but Lahara put up a fight. Meanwhile, she cared little about her own population. Selandis rotted.”
“I trust you’ve returned the Ael’Shanar to the position of benevolent guardian of Selandis.”
“We rebuilt Selandis. It now thrives. But I have taken steps to separate the Ael’Shanar from civilian affairs. I don’t want to rule the city.”
Mae sat upright. “But without strong leadership—”
“Selandis will be fine.”
Mae caught herself. “I’m sure it will. I am sorry for being so critical. I know you’re doing a good job.”
“I am very proud of our daughter,” Farius said. “She and her friends prevailed over the most difficult odds.”
“I couldn’t have done it without them. Frasie rebuilt the city’s guard. Aiden and Shareis worked on the infrastructure, and—”
“Shareis?” Mae asked. “The Proctor?”
“Yes, I…”
“Why is she with you?”
She took a deep breath as she thought of a way to answer. She had completely forgotten about the anguish and torture visited upon Mae by Shareis. She cursed herself for her oversight.
“Shareis has redeemed herself,” she replied.
Mae tilted her head in confusion. “How?”
“When Aiden and Frasie came to free us, Shareis was wounded. Since a Proctor wounded while breaking their code of ethics can’t be healed, she suffered with it and nearly died. Along the way to Lahara, I got to know her better and forgave her. She recovered and helped us defeat Vorea.”
“I see,” Mae replied. “I had a long time to think about my… interactions with Shareis.”
“I understand if you haven’t forgiven her,” she said. “I’m sure she wouldn’t expect it.”
“I am not concerned for her guilt,” Mae said. “She may have helped you defeat Vorea, and you may consider her a friend, but I do not want anything to do with her.”
She looked to her father. “Well, I…”
“Yes?” Mae asked.
“Shareis and I are… together.”
“Together?”
“We are lovers.”
Mae gazed in her direction, then looked away. The silence was nearly unbearable.
“I love her,” she said. “We want to spend the rest of our lives together.”
Mae bit her lower lip.
“I despise what Shareis did to you, Maeva,” Farius said. “But I have come to know her as a good person. She treats Niv’leana well and defended her, and our party, with her life. I have come to respect her.”
With each passing second, Mae’s silence further annoyed her. “You don’t know her like I do,” she said.
“And I am perfectly fine with that,” Mae replied. “I hope you keep her out of Ael’Shanar affairs.”
Niv stood. “You can choose to forgive her or not. But she will be my wife.”
Mae shook her head. “There is more to consider than your sexual desires, Niv’leana. You are High Priestess! You must consider the order, your heirs, and—”
“The order?” Her voice cracked in frustration. “My heirs? This is not about my desires. How dare you trivialize my feelings for Shareis.”
“The council will not tolerate a Proctor in the chambers,” Mae said.
“They do already!” she yelled. “She is my most trusted advisor. I haven’t seen her in months.” She thought of her love and how desperately she missed her. “I… I can’t believe you would react like this.”
Mae stood and put her hand on her shoulder. She recoiled. “A High Priestess cannot merely consider herself. The order—”
“I care deeply about the order, but I care more for Shareis,” she replied. “And that is the way it is.”
Mae rubbed her forehead. “I’m not getting through to you.”
“Oh, you’re getting through to me just fine.” She spun on her heels and started to leave the house.
“Please, Niv’leana, do not leave,” Farius said.
She shook “I… I can’t take this,” she replied. “Not now.”
Maeva started to protest, but she cut her off. “I’ll soon be leaving for Selandis. There, I’ll continue my heretic leadership with my deprave fiancé.” She turned to Maeva. “I’ll let you know when I bear an heir for you.”
Chapter 50
Shareis browsed the paintings adorning the hallways of Kytis’s mansion. Darkness oozed from nearly all the works, causing the odd bright and sunny scene to seem out of place. The nighttime artworks frequently featured a wolf with glowing eyes. In some, the fearsome creature bore its fangs, sometimes dripping in copious amounts of blood.
Mauria approached her. “He’s a wonderful painter.”
She nodded in disturbed approval. “Mmm hmm.” She pointed to a painting with three baby cubs. “Those may be his children.”
“Children?”
“A Druid takes the life of an animal to acquire its physical form. If that wolf was a parent…”
Mauria gasped. “What would happen to the cubs?”
“I don’t know. These works are so dark.”
Mauria gestured around her. “Everything in here is dark. The paneling, the carpets, the drapes. It’s his… style.”
“Too much darkness or light damages the spirit.”
“Lilly has said that before,” Mauria said. Mauria took a closer look at her. “You have her eyes. So inquisitive, so analytical.”
“They say if you see a man’s home, you’ll understand his life. But I’m no closer to understanding either.”
“He hasn’t been the same since his wife Rachel died. He used to paint her. Oh, she was a pretty lady. But shortly after she died, he had most of her paintings taken down and stacked in a large pile. He burned them and stood watch by the fire all night. He said it was to chase away the predators. He always had a flair for the dramatic.”
She touched the tip of the wolf’s fangs. “It wasn’t hyperbole. He is a Druid, after all.”
Mauria pointed to the wolf. “Are you saying he… becomes a wolf?”
“At some point in their life every Druid forms a bond with an animal. Perhaps he paired with a wolf.”
“Over the years I have found prey,” Mauria said. “I thought we had a wolf problem.”
“You do. Or, rather, we do.”
Mauria frowned. “You know my feelings on Kytis.”
“Yes. But I fear he has plans to hurt my friends. I understand you like him. You may feel you even owe him—”
“I do owe him.”
“And I owe it to my friends to protect them,” she replied.
“I think you’re overreacting.”
“Maybe.”
“I don’t want to spend our time talking about Kytis,” Mauria said. “How about I make some dinner for us?”
“It’s just you and me now,” she replied. “I’d be fine with a piece of bread and—”
“I’m your mother, Shareis, and I reserve the right to feed you.”
She smiled. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll help you cook.”
The two proceeded to the kitchen. “I’ve got some beans from last night. And I can whip up some biscuits.”
“We can make biscuits,” she corrected.
Mauria nodded. “I’ll make the dough; you roll them out.”
She assisted Mauria in fetching the ingredients and then tossed flour on the kitchen table. Mauria laid the lump of dough in front of her and handed her the cutter. Mauria watched as she kneaded the dough and laid it out for biscuits.
“I see Lilly taught you how to cook,” Mauria said.
“Some,” she replied. “I can’t make an elegant meal, but I can make the basics.”
“I regret I didn’t get to teach you.”
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