From the Ashes (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #3)(94)
“Anthe the Seer,” Madren reminded them all. “There is nothing that happens that she doesn’t have foreknowledge of.”
Jala nodded her agreement and shifted her staff to rest in the crook of her arm as she let out a long slow breath. “It might be best if you all stand back from me. I’m not sure exactly how this is going to go,” she advised as she pulled her gloves free. The chill winter air bit at her bare skin, but she ignored it. She heard the sound of footsteps as Sovann and Madren retreated to a safer distance, then looked to Valor who hadn’t moved an inch.
“I’m fine where I am,” Valor informed her as he caught her glance.
“The magic, though, Valor. I’m going to be channeling a lot of it and I’m not sure if it’s safe beside me,” Jala pressed her voice filled with concern.
“And I’m fine where I am,” Valor repeated, folding his arms across his chest and staring down at her stubbornly.
Letting out a sigh, Jala shook her head and wrapped her hand firmly around her staff. Neph and Sovann had both spent the past two days filling the Barllen inside the staff with as much magic as it could hold. That, combined with the mana stones Madren had crafted, should be more than enough magic to accomplish what she needed to do. “I’m nervous,” she admitted softly, her voice just loud enough for Valor to hear.
“I know. That’s why I’m right here,” Valor whispered back and gave her a reassuring wink.
“If this succeeds, do you think Ash will be strong enough to keep Death from claiming the souls in Merro? I don’t think she believes our deal still stands, considering I attacked her.” Jala turned to look at him, her eyes desperately searching for reassurance.
“We don’t know that Oblivion will release them the moment the curse is lifted. If they wait until you return, I have no doubt that the souls will remain in Merro. Ash may not be strong enough, but you are. Perhaps Death will be appeased with the offering from Goswin and won’t even try to seize the souls of Merro. There are quite a few dead here that are trapped from her domain,” Valor answered with confidence filling his voice. She could see no doubt in his blue eyes. He had more faith in her than she had in herself, apparently.
“I’m not giving her the dead of Goswin, Valor. I will do everything in my power to keep from giving her anything ever again. I’m not releasing the souls today, I’m raising them back to life,” Jala corrected softly with only a faint tremor in her voice. Life magic was more taxing on her than anything else she had attempted and she was about to perform more of it than any other mage would even consider.
“Are you sure that is wise?” Valor asked cautiously, a bit of concern showing on his face at last.
“My father didn’t name me Wisdom,” Jala replied with a faint smile and returned his gaze. “Do you believe I can do it?” she asked in a softer voice.
Valor shifted where he stood and uncrossed his arms. Carefully he removed his gauntlet and smiled at her. “I have faith that you can do anything you set your mind to, Jala. If the stones and the staff are not enough then take magic from me. I’ve seen you perform miracles before and the only thing that has caused you difficulty was magical energy. You shouldn’t have a problem with that today,” he said and offered his hand to her.
Jala smiled faintly and shook her head at his offering. “Only if there is no other choice. I don’t like siphoning magic from friends. Sovann informed me how painful it is when I do.” She let out another nervous breath and nodded to Valor. “Well then, I suppose I should get started.”
Closing her eyes she willed her mind into focus for Weaving and slowly opened her eyes once more, her gaze traveling across the land and then slowly to the sky above. Threads of magic covered everything as far as she could see. The trees themselves hung heavy with strands of magic while the sky above was nearly blinding to look at between the Barrier and the remains of Anthe’s failed magic. Her mind reeled at the sheer amount of magic before her. There was so much to repair and remove that she wasn’t sure if she would have energy for the raising of the dead despite the provisions she had brought.
Find a starting point first. She decided silently and her eyes roved across the land and settled on the Tolanteer. If she could release the witches, then perhaps they could help her with the raising of the dead.
Are you certain of this? Marrow asked her softly. He kept his words gentle in her mind so he wouldn’t disrupt her focus, and she didn’t need to look down to know his yellow eyes were searching her for doubt.
“Quite,” she answered softly as she raised her hands and began to undo the damage Anthe had wrought on her land so long ago. She could now see the intent of the spell Anthe had cast. The broken weaves and strands told the story clearly enough for her to know exactly what Anthe had attempted. Wish magic. Had Jala not already held trepidation about her family’s gift, the ruined magic of Goswin would have guaranteed it. Anthe had wished for her people to stand forever in the defense of Goswin, or something close to those terms. The edge of the sword was the curse that blanketed the land. Jala’s hands moved swiftly as she removed the strands of the curse and repaired the damage to the innate magic of the land. As Sovann had once told her, everything on Sanctuary held magic. Even the slender blades of grass hidden below the snow. Anthe’s magic had disrupted it all. Not a single weave in Goswin was undisturbed no matter how small it was.