She smiled warmly at me, her silvery gaze dancing over my face. “Daughter of Celestia, Lady of Fire. At last, you have come.”
“You know me?” I frowned in confusion. How could this be?
“Aye, I’ve been waiting for you. I’ve known you would come for many seasons, but I didn’t know when. Thank Celestia you’re finally here to help save us all. Time is of the essence now that darkness has begun to seep into this world.”
Her words brought me back to my current task, and I remembered I had no time to waste. The guard could return to the tower door any moment and then this would have all been for nothing. “Ah, well, actually, I can’t control my power yet. I was hoping you might be able to help me so I can save Percifal.”
“Percifal! Is he all right?” Her look of concern made her seem more ordinary… more human.
“Yes—er—well, he shall be if I can get him out of the dungeon.”
“Oh dear. Yes, I can help you with that. Tell me first, what is your name, child?”
“I am Lady Zephyra Caldura.”
“Caldura of Solis. Of course, there would be power running through your veins. Come closer, Zephyra. Take my hands.”
I did as she bade, grasping her calloused hands in my own. I was surprised by their strength. I almost let go when a shock of power passed through them and into me, but she held firm.
“Close your eyes,” she ordered. “The power that’s coursing through you, do you feel it?”
“Y—yes,” my voice shook. It felt like my whole body erupted in flames, though I felt no burning sensation upon my skin.
“This power you feel, take it in, and when you feel you can take no more, push it out. Do not think, do not hesitate, just feel.”
I felt the power fill me up, glowing brighter and brighter, until I thought I would burst from the inside. I ground my teeth and clenched the sorceress’s hands.
Suddenly, white light flashed behind my eyes, and I pushed from somewhere deep within myself. I opened my eyes and saw flames flowing from my palms.
Sreda pulled back and looked at me with approval. Her lips lifted in the corners. “Good girl. You see, you do have the ability to control your power. It needed to be awakened, is all. It seems you had suppressed it. It’ll take practice to fully control it, but that should come easier now.”
I was speechless. Never had I been able to call upon the fire unless my emotions ran strong and wild. I could barely believe what had happened right here in this tower.
Shaking my head, remembering what some of those emotions could also do, I asked, “But how do I control the power when my emotions run strong, and the fire burns against my will?”
“Quite the same way. Only instead of pushing it out, you must push it down, back into the depths of your core. Concentrate on controlling your emotions. Your power is connected to them right now. Once you have more control over your power, keeping the two separate will come naturally.”
I sighed through my mouth, resting my forehead against the cell door. “I will do my best. Thank you, Sreda. I must go now, before the guard returns and I get caught.”
“It is you and the others who hold the power of the elements who are owed thanks. Only the elementals will be able to beat King Zaeden once he brings Vesirus to this realm,” she said gravely.
I froze, her words turning my blood to ice. “The Dark Lord? Of Mnyama?” I asked in horror.
“I’m sorry, child, but yes, King Zaeden has found a way to channel my power. I would end my own life to save this world, but he won’t let that happen.”
I saw the regret in her eyes as they landed on her bruised wrists. I hadn’t noticed the purple welts before. The sight of them made me hate Aquila’s king with a newfound passion. I sought to reassure her before I turned back down the stairs. “I shall find Chelela, and we shall stop King Zaeden.” I said the words with more conviction than I felt.
Her face solemn, she nodded in return. It seemed she had more faith in me than I myself did. I hoped I wouldn’t fail her and the rest of Sarantoa.
Thankfully Sreda’s cell appeared more like a bedchamber than a prison. It was far from the nightmarish dungeon I’d spent my time in, and the one I imagined Percifal suffered in at that very moment.
I opened the door a crack and peered out before exiting the tower. Madam Lacrima paced back in forth outside, waiting for me. To my relief, there was no guard in sight. I stepped out of the tower and met eyes with her. Wasting no time, she grabbed ahold of my wrist and pulled me back through the courtyard.
Once the tower was out of sight, I asked breathlessly, “The guard?”
“He fell asleep, but he could wake at any moment. Was Sreda able to help you with your power?”
“She was. I believe I can control it enough to use it to save Percifal.” I bit my lip and looked away, suddenly unsure of myself. “At least, I hope I can.”
Startling me, Madam Lacrima grabbed ahold of my shoulders. “You must, or you will have to go to Chel on your own. Do you understand? We’re all doomed if you two don’t meet.”
Swallowing hard, I managed only to nod. A lot rested on my shoulders. As selfish as it was, I would be glad to have someone else to share this burden with.
“Good. We haven’t a moment to waste. I’ll take you to the dungeon. From there, I shall leave you to make preparations for your journey to Cansbroke.”
“All right. I’m ready.”
“Follow me,” she beckoned impatiently.
Madam Lacrima led me through the dark courtyard, which was abandoned this late. The cloudless sky made for a cold night, and I shivered as we crept around to the back of the palace. I knew not if it was due to the frigid air of the season or the circumstance lying before me. Perhaps both caused me to quiver like a leaf in the wind.
Madam Lacrima stopped when we came to a small iron door. “No guards are ever posted here, but the door is always locked. It is time to call on your power to open it.”
“But how? This door is made from iron.”
“Try to melt the lock.”
I inclined my head at her in sudden understanding. I hadn’t thought to use my power in such a way. The thought of melting something had not occurred to me, though it did make sense. I only hoped my power wouldn’t get away from me and engulf Madam Lacrima in flames.
I had to try. There was no other choice. Taking a deep breath, I turned my attention to the door. I shut out all thoughts and focused on the warmth glowing at my core. At first, nothing changed. But then, feeling it beginning to grow, I pulled at the tiny golden thread of warmth, harder and harder, until the world slipped away. Until there was only myself and the hot, white light that was a part of my very soul.
It grew brighter and hotter, until I could contain it no longer. My eyes shot open, and I focused all of that white, hot energy at the lock on the door. Placing my hand over the lock, I pushed at the energy within me with everything I had. To my surprise, the iron beneath my hand turned red with heat before transforming to yellow, and then white. I let my hand drop to my side, and liquid molten dripped down the door.
I stepped back, my eyes wide, the lock completely melted away. I couldn’t believe I’d actually done it.
It seemed Madam Lacrima had no doubt in my ability. She looked at me with a big smile, showing off her perfectly straight teeth. “Good work. Now, this is where I must leave you.”
I turned toward her to protest. “You would send me down there alone?”
“This is a task for only you, Zephyra. Besides, as I said, I must make preparations for your journey. I’ll be waiting out here for you when you return.”
“But what if I fail?”
“You shall not, but if you did, I would still be here awaiting you. If I’m not here when you come back through this door, go to the stables, get on a horse, and ride away from Aquila. Find someone to take you to Cansbroke and find my daughter.”
“Yes, madam.” I bowed my head, and she strode away before I could change my mind.
>
I sucked in a deep, shaky breath of the cool night air to steady my nerves. Then, I placed both palms on the door and pushed it open.
Chapter 28
The air inside of the poorly lit dungeon felt thick and sticky. Only a few torches flickered on the walls as I descended the slimy stairs that took me deeper and deeper below ground. I shivered in anticipation, pulling my cloak tighter around myself.
Once I reached the bottom, I froze. I couldn’t stop myself from remembering my time in Algor’s dungeon. What am I doing? I began to question myself. How can I go back into such a place?
Fear coursed through me as dark thoughts drifted through my mind. What if I got trapped there and could never escape? I would die, and no one else, save Madam Lacrima, would know what happened to me. I wondered if she would come to rescue me and Percifal if that happened. Percifal… I must save him. I couldn’t leave him down there. Besides, I didn’t think I could continue on this journey without him by my side. I didn’t possess the skills to survive on my own out there. Not yet.
I inhaled the damp air and tried to block out all thoughts, except the one telling me I must save Percifal. It took losing him to realize it, but I didn’t want to go on without him. The memory of our last moment together gnawed away at me. The way he refused to look at me after having confessed he was falling for me the very night before. I couldn’t let him die believing I didn’t feel the same way.
Determination pushed my feet forward, one step at a time. As I began to make out the shape of cells along each side, I pulled up my hood and grabbed a torch off the wall.
Sounds of moaning and crying came from some of the cells. Some of the prisoners inside noticed me and rattled their bars, calling out to me with desperation.
“Aye there, lassie! Let me out!” a gravelly masculine voice growled.
“Pleeeeease, pleeeease. Help meee!” another wailed.
“Celestia will forsake you too,” an old crone rasped.
I winced and walked on, not sparing them another glance. The smell, by goddess, the smell was even worse. I used my cloak to cover my nose from the scent of the awful body odours. So many prisoners awaited their deaths down there. A lot of the cells held at least half a dozen men and women. I ignored those, remembering that the king had ordered Percifal to be locked in a cell alone. It seemed nearly impossible to locate him in the never-ending cave of death.
I decided the only way I would find him would be to call for him. This would surely draw more attention than I wanted, but I needed to find him.
“Percifal?” I whispered, loudly at first, and then paused to listen.
No answer.
“Percifal!” I called louder.
At last, I heard movement from a cell away from the others. I raced up to it and clutched onto the bars and peered in, hope fluttering in my chest. “Percifal? Is that you?” I placed the torch I held in a bracket on the wall and turned back to the cell.
“Zephyra?” asked a tired voice.
I threw back my hood and laughed with joy as I looked upon his face, my eyes welling up. “Oh, Percifal! Thank Celestia I’ve found you.”
He moved, slowly, up to the front of the cell and looked upon me, a bit of stubble covered his jaw. “Phyra, what are you doing here? Are you insane? You must leave at once. If anyone see’s you here, you’ll be thrown in this cell with me.”
“No, I’m quite sane,” I replied. “I couldn’t let you die in here without telling you that I— that I—”
“That you what? Have a death wish?”
I threw my head back in exasperation, annoyed at myself for stalling, and at him for not wanting to be saved. “No, that I love you, you fool.” Tears I couldn’t stop spilled over as I said the words.
He placed his hands on the bars. His voice softened. “Truly?”
I nodded and was suddenly unable to stop my words from spilling out. “Yes! So much so that I was afraid—afraid of loving you because I have never loved anyone like this in my whole life.
“When you told me how you felt the night before you were arrested, I knew I should’ve told you, and then you were gone. I thought I’d lost my chance and you would die never knowing the truth.” I choked on a sob and tore my eyes from him.
“Shh, it’s all right. Honestly, I didn’t even know you had heard me when I said those words to you. I thought you’d fallen asleep. I know it was cowardly of me to tell you when I thought you wouldn’t hear, but I’m happy you feel the same way. Regardless of the way you feel, this is no place for you. You should leave, before it’s too late.”
Frustrated with myself for forgetting my mission, and for babbling on about my feelings, I tore my hands away from the bars and shook myself. “That’s not the only reason I have come. I’m here to set you free.”
“The only way you could do that is if you obtained a key from one of the guards,” he said suspiciously.
“That’s not the only way. I saw Sreda, and she has shown me my power,” I said with my chin held high. My success in getting this far had graced me with a newfound confidence.
“Sreda? But she’s locked in the tower,” he replied.
“Yes, but I had help from your mother. She’s a sly one. But never mind all that. We don’t have time. I must get you out of here.”
“All right, all right.” He put his hands up. “But if this doesn’t work, you must promise me you’ll leave and go find my sister without me.”
I decided I wouldn’t fail, so I agreed. “I promise.” I shooed him away from the bars. “Back up. I still don’t have full control of my power, and I don’t want to harm you.”
He moved to the back wall of the cell.
I closed my eyes, placing my hands over the bars as I had on the lock of the entrance door, and concentrated.
Nothing happened.
My heart began to race, but I knew if I let myself panic, I’d lose control.
I squeezed my eyes shut harder and took slow, deep breaths, trying to focus everything I had on the power within me.
Percifal remained silent.
I began to feel the heat, a familiar sensation, growing from within myself. I focused on my white, hot center, coaxing it forth. Once that heat filled my whole being, I opened my eyes and focused every drop of my energy on the bars beneath my hands. Slowly, the iron became red with heat before turning lighter shades and then melted into glowing, liquid molten, just like the lock had. When the metal cooled and hardened again a space large enough for Percifal to escape through was left.
I didn’t move, too stunned that I’d done it. I’d actually used my power to set Percifal free!
Standing there like a fool, I nearly jumped when Percifal rushed through the space and gripped me in a tight embrace. “You did it! Zephyra, you’ve figured out how to use your power!”
I blinked back tears, gripping him tightly in my arms, something I feared I’d never do again. “I love you, Percifal Lacrima. Don’t you ever leave me again.”
“And I love you.” He captured my lips with his. He released me “We should make haste.”
“Indeed. Your mother is awaiting us.”
He took my hand, and we ran past the cells and back up the dungeon stairs to the door, prisoners in a frenzy, yelling at us to free them the whole way. As afraid as I was of them, I couldn’t help but feel some sorrow. They would never again see the light of day. I knew what it felt like to feel that hopelessness.
When we burst out the door, Madam Lacrima was waiting with Sunny already saddled. She gripped Percifal’s sword in one hand.
Seeing us, she cried out with glee and embraced the both of us before kissing Percifal on the cheek. “My son, you are safe. Thank you, Zephyra. I owe you a debt for this.”
“’That’s not necessary,” I replied with a shake of my head. “I would do anything for him.” I added with a smile, “We have grown quite fond of each other.”
She beamed at me. “That brightens my heart. Nonetheless, should you ever need anything, you may call
on me.”
“Thank you, madam.” I bowed my head.
“You two must be off. I fear it shan’t be long before the guards realize what has happened here. I’m sure the king will conclude that magic was involved in Percifal’s escape.” She flicked her hair over her shoulder, and then she added, “I was only able to get one horse without raising suspicion, so you’ll have to ride together. There’s food and water in the saddle bags.”
Percifal gave his mother a quick peck on the cheek. “Thank you, Mother.” He turned and helped me onto the stallion before he placed himself in the saddle behind me.
“Don’t thank me. Just return safely to me, both of you.”
“We shall do our best,” I promised her.
“Farewell for now.” She let go of the reins, and we were off.
I hoped if I ever came back to Aquila, it would be on better terms.
Chapter 29
I was grateful Percifal had grown up in Aquila and knew a way to slip from the kingdom unseen. We held on tightly, travelling down a steep hill and through water. I almost fell off the horse more than once, but we made it. As soon as the palace was out of site, I felt him relax a little from behind me in the saddle.
I didn’t want to take that away from him, but I knew I had to tell him about the conversation I’d had with Sreda.
“There’s something else you need to know,” I confessed.
He stiffened. “What is it?”
I bit my lip and hesitated. I decided there was no easy way to say it, so I came straight out with it. “She told me King Zaeden is working with Vesirus.”
He pulled Sunny to a halt so fast I nearly flew off his back again. “She what? No, that’s impossible. If he’s working with Vesirus there’s no way you or Chel are getting involved.”
“We have to. Believe me, I’d rather not, but Sreda foresaw the elementals shall be the ones to stop him.” I turned so I could look up at him.
His expression was grim, his dark brows drawn together. He shook his head. “When I thought we were going against a mere mortal, I thought we had a chance, but this… he will kill us all.”
The Elemental Diaries - Complete Series Page 22
