Isabel nodded somberly. “I know and I’m not too proud to admit that I’m a bit scared, but the sooner I get through it, the sooner we can get back to Alexander.”
“I know,” Abigail whispered, “I miss him, too. And there’s no telling what kind of trouble he’s gotten himself into by now.”
Isabel grinned. “How soon will you be done with your training?”
“Not long,” Abigail said, “maybe a week. Knight Raja has already told me I’m ready but he believes in being thorough. Truth is, I’m ready to go as soon as you are.”
Wren looked at the table and a tear slipped down her cheek and into her dinner. “I’m going to miss both of you.”
Isabel smiled fondly at the young woman and took her hand. She looked up only after Isabel gave her a gentle squeeze. “I’ve been thinking about that. How would you like to come to Ruatha? It’s more dangerous than here because of the war, but I’m sure we could find work for you in Blackstone Keep.”
Wren’s eyes grew wide and she nodded with disbelieving excitement. “I’ve always wanted to see more of the Seven Isles. I’d love to come to Ruatha with you.” Then she stopped suddenly. “What about my family? I can’t leave them behind and I have duties here.”
“There’s more than enough room for your family and I’m sure the fortress island will manage without you,” Isabel said.
“The owner of this Blackstone Keep would really welcome me into his home?” Wren asked with a little touch of awe. “It sounds like such an important place.”
Isabel and Abigail chuckled gently. “Wren, I’m the Queen of Ruatha. Blackstone Keep belongs to my husband. I guarantee that you’re welcome there.”
Her eyes went wide and then she looked at the table again. “I’m sorry, sometimes I forget you’re so important.”
“Nonsense,” Isabel said with a hint of sternness in her voice. “You are my friend. Titles and kingdoms mean nothing when compared to love and friendship. I only mentioned my title to prove that you are welcome at Blackstone Keep.”
“You two have been so good to me,” Wren said softly. “I never thought I would have such good friends in my whole life. Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome, Wren,” Isabel said. “You’ve made us feel at home here despite the fact that we were brought here against our will. It may take some time to make the arrangements to get you moved to Ruatha, but I promise that as soon as it’s safe, we’ll help you get there.”
Wren left giddy with excitement. She couldn’t wait to tell her parents.
“I’m glad you did that,” Abigail said. “I’ve grown fond of her. I wasn’t looking forward to saying goodbye.”
“Me, neither,” Isabel said. “I’m sure we can find a place for her at the Keep.”
Abigail nodded. “I actually have an idea about that. Remember when we first got here and we asked Wren what she wanted to do?”
Isabel nodded with a knowing smile. “She said she wanted to sing. I’ve caught her singing under her breath a few times and she has a beautiful voice.”
“I bet Jack could find her a place in the Bards Guild,” Abigail said. “He told me once that he’s always on the lookout for talented singers or storytellers.”
“You know, I bet you’re right,” Isabel said with a smile. “Let’s not tell her about that for now. She’s already excited enough about the idea of moving to Ruatha. I don’t want to get her hopes up too much. Besides we do have a few more pressing concerns at the moment.”
“Agreed,” Abigail said. “But it would be nice to make her happy if we can.”
Chapter 17
The next morning Isabel went to the triumvirs’ working chambers. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves as she stopped before the two big men guarding the hall.
“I’m here to see Mistress Magda,” she said simply.
This time they didn’t object or question her. Instead they stepped aside and nodded for her to proceed.
The two women in the entry hall invited her to sit and wait while Magda finished with her current appointment.
Isabel was nervous as she waited. To dispel her anxiety, she started working through the visualization exercise she had learned by calling up all of the objects she’d worked with over the past several days. They sprang into her mind with vivid detail on command and remained in her mind’s eye for as long as she chose to focus on them.
She was concentrating so hard that she didn’t hear the woman behind the desk tell her that Magda was ready to see her. When the woman touched Isabel on the shoulder, she snapped out of her trance with a start.
Magda was waiting in her sitting room when Isabel entered. She smiled warmly. “How can I help you?”
“I’m ready,” she said simply.
“Are you certain?” Magda asked.
Isabel nodded gravely. “I’ve mastered the exercises you gave me and I feel a greater degree of control over my mind and feelings than I’ve ever had before. I’m ready.”
“Very well,” Magda said as she stood. She placed a hand on Isabel’s forehead and closed her eyes while she murmured something under her breath. When she opened her eyes, she fixed Isabel with a firm look and nodded slowly. “I believe you are as ready as you can be given the short time you’ve been preparing.”
“When can I take the trials?” Isabel asked.
“We will begin tomorrow,” Magda said. “Take the rest of the day and walk in the gardens or take a nap but don’t practice your exercises anymore until after the mana fast is over. You need to rest your mind. Eat a good dinner tonight and go to bed early. Come to my quarters first thing in the morning and I will accompany you to the chamber where your trials will take place. You will spend the next seven days locked away for your mana fast. Talk to Abigail tonight so she knows what to expect.”
“I will,” Isabel said. “Thank you.”
Magda gave her a serious look. “Don’t thank me yet. You have yet to survive the mana fast. The trials are difficult and intense, and this next week will be very challenging.”
“I understand,” Isabel said before she left with a firm sense of resolve. This was the path she must walk to return to Alexander and her people. She would do what was necessary, come what may.
She wandered up to the plateau and watched a squad of six wyverns float past. They were still guarding the Reishi Isle even though the Sovereign Stone was no longer there. Isabel wondered about the leadership of this very powerful enclave of soldiers and witches. They seemed so engrained in their ways that they couldn’t see the senselessness of continuing to do as they’d always done even though the world had changed before their very eyes.
No matter, she thought. They would either join Alexander or remain here. Either way, Isabel would be free to return to her husband in just over a week, provided that the coven lived up to their promises. She decided to dismiss the possibility of treachery for the time being. Magda had been forthcoming and helpful, Cassandra was noncommittal yet willing to listen to reason, only Gabriella was stubbornly opposed to Isabel leaving, and her feelings were the result of grief over her dead husband—killed by Alexander’s hand. Isabel couldn’t fault her for her feelings on that score, for now at least. Although, there would come a time when Gabriella would have to choose a side. Isabel decided not to worry about that either.
The day was clear and warm, even with the gentle ocean breeze blowing over the top of the fortress island. She found a bench made of driftwood under a tree and sat down to enjoy the peace and beauty of one of the well-tended flower gardens. It was midspring and the flowers were in bloom. The groundskeepers prided themselves on the careful arrangements of their flowering plants. They staggered them so there was always something in bloom during the spring and summer months. The variety of flowers and colors was delightful.
Isabel sat for a while and simply enjoyed the breeze in her hair and the sun on her face. She relaxed and let her mind wander. It wasn’t long before she was thinking about Alexander. He was so far aw
ay. She wanted to see him before the mana fast if only to hear him reassure her that she was ready.
She heard a rustle above and looked up to see Slyder peering down at her from a branch in the tree. She smiled at him and gently made contact with his mind. He was restless and wanted to return to the forest. The ocean was unfamiliar to him and he made it clear that he didn’t like it here. Isabel reassured her friend that they would be returning to land soon enough. She also tried to communicate the danger and necessity of the mana fast, but try as she might, the bird simply couldn’t understand. To Slyder, danger was something to run away from or confront. Finally, she tried to impress on him the need to remain hidden from the witches and the wyverns while she underwent the fast, even if he could feel her distress. That confused him even more and he gave a sharp shriek and took to wing. Isabel let him go and decided to explore her bond with other animals.
She saw a smaller bird and reached out to it with her mind. It was a much more nervous consciousness than Slyder’s. Isabel could sense the constant state of alertness that the tiny little creature lived with and imagined that it must be exhausting. She gently commanded the bird to come to her. For a brief moment she felt a slight resistance and then the colorful little bird was sitting on her shoulder with its head darting all about. Isabel released it and the bird fluttered off to a branch in a nearby tree and chattered at her for a moment before flying off deeper into the garden.
Two wyverns glided by overhead, casting their shadows down onto the plateau. Isabel reached out to one of them and found a much more alert and fearsome mind. It was the mind of a predator that had little fear of anything. Most creatures were its prey and those few that could best a wyvern could usually be avoided. She rode along with the beast for a few moments to get familiar with his thought process and stream of consciousness. Mostly, the giant animal was responding to the guidance of its rider. Isabel decided to test her newfound power and commanded the wyvern to bank right. Not a moment passed before the aerial hunter pulled sharply to the right. The rider grabbed the reins and pulled his mount back into formation slightly behind the right wing of the lead wyvern.
She waited patiently for the next pair to float by and entered the minds of both animals at once. Her connection seemed more tenuous and less certain but when she commanded, they both dove for the deck until their riders regained control a moment later. Isabel relinquished her hold on the beasts almost at once to prevent injury to the animals or to their riders.
She sat back and thought about the power she had at her disposal through the gifts Desiderates had given her. Mage Gamaliel was a sneaky old wizard for sending such a powerful solution to the poison that had almost killed her. She resolved to use that power to bring the full force of the Reishi Coven and the Sky Knights to the aid of Alexander and Ruatha whether the triumvirate liked it or not.
With that thought, she made her way back to her quarters. Wren was waiting with lunch. Abigail arrived not long after.
“Well, how’d it go?” Abigail asked before she’d even closed the door behind her.
“I’m going to start the trials tomorrow,” Isabel said. “Magda said it will take a week and I’ll be isolated for the duration.”
“Pretty much like Alexander was during his fast,” Abigail said, nodding. “Are you sure you’re ready? I know you’re as anxious to get back as I am but you won’t do anyone any good if you get yourself killed.”
“Your concern is touching,” Isabel said.
“You know what I mean,” Abigail replied as she took her seat at the table.
Isabel nodded with a gentle smile for her sister. They had become close friends over the past weeks. Isabel valued Abigail’s insight and opinion but more than that she trusted her.
“I’m ready,” Isabel said firmly. “I’m sure it won’t be easy but I’m also sure that I’ll succeed. I have to.”
“Funny how necessity can drive us to accomplish things we’d never even try if we had a choice,” Abigail said.
Isabel spent the rest of the afternoon mentally preparing for her trials. She didn’t work on her exercises but instead focused on her reasons for taking such a risk. When faced with the alternatives, the path she was walking was the only way. Alexander needed her and she needed him and not just for the war against Phane. Once the Seven Isles were free, there would be other challenges. Alexander was the Sovereign and he needed a wife who could stand with him. Only a witch could be everything she needed to be for him. The trials were the only way.
She woke early the next morning and dressed deliberately. Breakfast with Abigail and Wren was quiet. They spoke of little things and avoided talk of the dangers Isabel would be facing. Isabel hugged them both before leaving to begin her mana fast.
Magda was waiting for her when she arrived.
Isabel felt unusually nervous. She was normally confident when facing a challenge but this was different—so much depended on her success.
“Good morning, Isabel. Do you have any questions before we begin?”
Isabel shook her head slowly.
“Just so we’re clear, this is dangerous and difficult. There is no pressure if you wish to continue your practice and build on your skills before you undergo the trials.”
“I understand,” Isabel said. “I’m ready now.”
“Very well, come with me,” Magda said as she retrieved a small box from a locked cabinet.
Magda led her through a twisting maze of corridors that wound deeper into the bowels of the fortress island than Isabel had ever been. There were a number of doors that were locked and spelled to prevent entrance to anyone but authorized members of the coven. They arrived at a nondescript door that opened to a circular room with a magic circle inlaid in the floor. It was a simple stone room carved from the rock of the island. The ceiling was high and the walls were bare. There was a low bed with a thin feather mattress in the center. Two neatly folded blankets and a pillow rested on the foot of the bed. A cistern filled with water sat next to the bed and a single oil lamp rested on a small table nearby.
A single ray of sunlight stabbed through the dim light of the lamp from a slit in one wall, brilliantly illuminating a spot on the opposite wall.
Magda placed the box on the table and opened it carefully. Within were seven heavy glass vials filled with liquid that was glowing slightly with a pure white light. Each vial was fitted into a red felt-lined indentation designed to hold it in place.
“You must drink one vial each day for the next seven days,” Magda said. “Use the position of the sunlight to mark time. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Isabel said.
“Once the trials begin, you will be on your own,” Magda said. “If you fail to drink all of the vials, you will die. If you drink more than one per day, you will die. If you succumb to the pain, fear, or despair, you will die. The firmament has no consciousness of its own but it seems to crave the input of the conscious mind. It is believed that this is the reason for the difficulty of the trials. People are more apt to act rashly to escape unpleasant feelings, so the firmament induces the worst emotions possible with great intensity in order to motivate you to release your hold on your own identity and surrender your will to the firmament. If you let go, you will die.
“You must face each of the trials directly and endure. You must maintain a hold on your identity and your will in order to survive. Once you can face the unmitigated torment of each trial, the firmament will give up and move on to the next trial. Remember, everything you are about to experience is both very real and completely imaginary at the same time. Real in the sense that you will experience the feelings with great intensity and unreal in the sense that the feelings are fabricated and artificial—but your psyche won’t know that. You must not let the intensity of the experience fool you into believing that the experience is real. You must maintain a firm grasp on the truth that this is a test of your will that is taking place within your mind and nowhere else.
“If you are ready, I will
activate the magic circle and seal you into this room for the next week. Once you drink the contents of the first vial, the trials will begin at a time and in a way that is completely unpredictable, except that they will take seven days to complete. Some people report the trials beginning within minutes of drinking the first vial. At least one witch I know said that her trials all happened on the final day of the mana fast.
“On the morning of the eighth day, I will return to release the magic circle. Until then, no magic or substance will be able to pass into or out of the circle. Occasionally, uncontrolled magical energies of great power are released during the mana fast. The circle is here to ensure that you cause no harm to those around you as well as to ensure that you finish the fast.
“Use your emotions to your advantage. Focus on your love for Alexander and use that love to remain grounded in reality.”
Isabel nodded and sat down on the edge of the little bed.
“Are you certain that you’re ready?” Magda asked. “Once you drink the first vial, there is no going back. You’ll either survive the trials or you will die.”
Isabel looked over to the spot of sunlight on the wall. It fell on the fourth stone up from the floor. She marked the position in her mind and took the first of the seven vials. She looked briefly at the magical elixir, at the way it glowed with the kind of light she had seen when she witnessed the birth of the fairy Sara within her own mind. With a smile of love for Alexander and a firm sense of resolve, she uncorked the vial and drank the sweet-tasting liquid.
Magda nodded with a mixture of approval and concern before she stepped out of the circle and spoke a few words under her breath. The circle pulsed with light and the air shimmered briefly.
“The trials have begun,” Magda said. “May the Maker of the world watch over you and deliver you through the ordeal you face.” She held Isabel with her eyes for a moment before she left the room. Isabel heard the bolt on the outside of the door slam into place and then the sound of Magda’s footsteps echoing in the corridor as she walked away. Then there was only silence.
Mindbender Page 20