by Meg Anne
“We cannot allow her to entertain his suit!” Darrin roared.
“Allow her?” Joquil had repeated with a laugh, “It is not for us to ‘allow’ the Damaskiri to do anything. Did you forget your vows already, child?”
“He has a point, Joquil,” Timmins soft voice stepped in, “You know who he is, who his family are. More importantly, you know what he has done. How can we protect her from evil if she is to bind herself to it?”
“He will not harm her,” came Kragen’s sure reply.
“It is our duty to protect her,” Darrin bit out, “but there are times we will not be there, especially once she completes the binding and he becomes her Mate. She will be destroyed, and in turn, we will all be destroyed.”
The men were quiet as his words sunk in. After a moment, she heard Joquil say, “The Mate is the perfect partner for the Damaskiri. He was made for her, and she for him. They are one. It is not possible that the one she chooses will not be the one that she was destined for. She is to be the most powerful Kiri we have ever seen. All power is two sided and who better to help her understand the darker side of her nature than such a Mate?”
She heard objections from the others, but Joquil continued, “She has to be able to understand the darkness in order to save us from it. Just because we have kept her safe thus far, does not mean she is prepared for what is to come. The Mother provides for her Chosen; she will not forsake us.”
Helena’s blood felt like ice. All the lingering joy from last night’s festivities and the morning’s frivolity faded. She was faced, once again, with the enormity of the burden that was placed on her shoulders. She could not afford to forget it. She pushed the door open and stepped into the Circle’s Chamber.
The men were sitting around the table, a fire blazing beside it. Each face was lost in thought. She took note of the worry and concern on Darrin’s and Timmins’ faces, as well as the absence of both on Joquil’s. Kragen alone seemed to be as he always was, she took comfort in that.
They looked up as she entered.
“Good morning, Damaskiri. Did you enjoy your ball last night? It was your first, yes?” Timmins greeted her warmly, all trace of doubt vanished, or at least well hidden.
“Yes, it was lovely,” she murmured, pretending that she had not overheard their conversation.
Joquil stood and moved towards her, “We have a very busy day, Damaskiri. We should get started with your final training right away unless there is anything else you all need?” he addressed the other men.
They shook their heads.
Joquil nodded. “Then, if you would excuse us,” he asked the others.
They rose and made their way to the door with murmurs of support. Darrin gently touched her shoulder as he walked past.
“Let us review before diving back in, shall we? Tell me, Damaskiri, what do you recall about the five branches?”
Helena mentally shook herself, trying hard to dispel her lingering unease at the Circle’s conversation and to project confidence that she didn’t feel.
“Well,” she began tentatively, “power can manifest in a number of ways, each unique to the user but generally tied to some common element within that branch. Earth, for example, generally provides the Chosen it’s gifted with incredible strength, both of body and of mind. Those adept in the Water branch are most commonly healers, and they can influence the sleep or dreams of others.”
Joquil nodded and motioned for her to continue.
“Those blessed with an affinity for Air can sometimes control or influence the weather and are almost always known for their speed; while any gifted with Fire can summon and manipulate that element at will.”
“And what of Spirit?” he prompted.
“Spirit can only be wielded by a Damaskiri or Kiri. It is the power of self and allows for the manipulation or control of one’s mind, including animals. The stronger one is, the more control they can have over another. In some cases, they can also foresee the future.”
“And can a Chosen be gifted in multiple branches?”
Helena nodded, “Yes, although it is extremely rare to be gifted with more than two branches and even more uncommon for someone to be considered a master of more than one branch. In most cases, a Chosen only has one or two abilities tied to a single branch of magic.”
“Do you remember anything else about what happens when there’s a dual or multi-gift?”
“The branches influence and work with each other. For example, if someone has both Fire and Air, in theory, they would be able to call forth a storm of Fire.”
Joquil was smiling in approval, “Very good, Damaskiri. A Chosen generally does not learn the true potential of their gift until they are of age, in your case, it will remain to be seen how your gifts will work together and what your limitations are. Do you have any questions before we move on?”
“I did have one other question, and I apologize if it’s silly-”
“You have been separated from your heritage your entire life, Damaskiri, it only makes sense that you would have questions,” he interrupted, dismissing her apology.
She offered him a bright smile in return and continued, “Yes, well, I was curious why no one seems to be using their magic.” She paused trying to explain herself, “Everything, since I arrived here, feels so…well, normal. Are there some kind of rules dictating when magic can be used?” She finished with a shrug, feeling foolish.
It was Joquil’s turn to smile. “Ah, I can see how you would think that, Damaskiri. It is not that magic is not being used, it is simply not being used in your presence.”
“But, but why?” She asked eyebrows scrunched in confusion.
“It’s out of respect for you. As the future ruler of the Chosen, they did not wish to offend you by blatantly displaying a talent you are unable to use since your own magic remains bound, or was until very recently.”
Helena laughed, “But that’s silly, isn’t the ability to wield magic what it intrinsically means to be one of the Mother’s Chosen? It would be as if a musician would not share his songs with his neighbor who could not sing. Just because someone has a gift does not mean they should hide it from one who does not!”
Joquil nodded in agreement, “You are wise to say so, Damaskiri. Your people simply do not wish to insult you. Shall I have Timmins inform them that you wish they stop concealing their magic?”
“Yes, please,” she nodded, “I have always been fascinated by the idea of magic since I never had my own. I was looking forward to being surrounded by it when coming here, however, even during my practice with you, it has merely been a lot of talking and no magic.”
He laughed at her teasing, “Perhaps we can begin to amend that today. Are you ready to start?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she sighed.
He smiled sympathetically. “Today I will help induce the meditative state. You were so close to reaching the barrier yesterday that I think a little extra push may help you succeed.”
“Have you been holding out on me, Joquil?” Helena lifted a mocking brow.
He shrugged prosaically, “What was the point of wasting good magic when you did not understand what you were doing?”
“I suppose you have a point,” her eyes narrowed playfully as she settled into the large gray armchair which had informally become hers.
Helena sat back in the chair and closed her eyes, beginning to focus on her breathing.
She felt Joquil’s hands lightly touch her shoulders, and her breathing became more measured and slow. Her worry and tension faded, and her muscles slackened at the release.
Helena’s head fell back against the chair with a contented sigh.
“Stay focused, Damaskiri,” Joquil murmured. Helena was certain he was smirking.
She tried to pull her mind back to her, and begin the now familiar process of seeking the magic within her.
Having one’s magic bound was much like attempting to find buried treasure without a map or deciphering a code without a k
ey. If you knew where to look, you could find it, but you could also go in circles for ages and never realize it had been next to you the whole time.
Now that she was used to searching for it, Helena could recognize the wealth of power within her. It felt like a still pool hidden within her very core. In her mind, she could see its black surface patiently waiting for her to dive in and explore its depths.
Under Joquil’s patient, albeit smug, guidance she was learning to move closer to its placid shore each day.
There you are, she smiled as she came upon the dark shores within her.
“Call your power to you. Wrap it around yourself, as you would a blanket on a wet night,” Master Joquil’s low voice called to her as though from a distance.
It seemed as if the pool recognized her presence and was beckoning her, urging her to join it.
Helena moved forward. Each day she was pushing against the invisible barrier between herself and the water, but the closer she got the weaker she felt. Reaching the barrier, Helena felt as though she was straining with her fingertips to brush the edge of the water.
Just a bit further. She wasn’t sure if she was attempting to motivate herself or if it was the inky depths before her, or were they one in the same? The thought had her pausing briefly. Mentally shaking herself, she refocused on her task; if she could only get a little closer, she would be touching it.
Bracing herself, she started forward again. Breath labored, Helena could feel her forehead beginning to pound. In her mind, she was now on her knees attempting to crawl to the lapping edge of the water. She could feel herself trembling with the effort.
Fingers were splayed against the wall, pushing so hard she could feel the barrier begin to crack and become malleable. Yes, she thought fiercely, just a little further. With a final roar, she pushed. The barrier gave way, ripping with a sigh before falling away completely. She pushed herself up and was now standing at the edge.
With a pleasured gasp, she reached out and touched the pool. She tingled from the contact, feeling the source of her power reach out to her, caressing her as it welcomed her.
It was as though she was an empty basin, and her magic was water seeking to fill her to the brim. The tingling turned into pinpricks, and her heart raced.
She heard shouting but did not know where it was coming from. Standing before the pool, she was watching it continue to drain, filling her beyond her capacity. What had initially felt like a pleasant warmth spreading through her limbs was beginning to burn. She cried out in confusion.
Stop, please... it’s too much, she thought, limbs shaking and breath coming out in labored gasps. Suddenly, the power began to ebb away, swirling back to its pool.
As she came back to herself, she heard Master Joquil’s frantic shouting, and awareness flooded her. Slowly she opened her eyes. When her eyes met his, he gasped and took a few teetering steps back.
She stood slowly, aware of her body in a new way. Each sense was heightened, and it was as if she was learning how to move her body for the first time. She flexed her muscles feeling the new strength within them.
Her eyes flitted to the unlit candles on the wall. Moments later flames leapt from the wicks reaching towards the ceiling.
Joquil, sat quickly, hands firmly gripping the arms of his chair. “Blessed Mother,” he whispered in awe.
Helena walked towards the mirror in the corner of the chambers, studying herself in surprise. While the changes were mostly subtle, it was undeniable that her magic had changed her. Gone were the soft remnants of childhood, round apple shaped cheeks giving way to sculpted cheekbones. Her skin had always had the dewy glow of youth, but now it was as if she was lit from within. Her hair which had always been notably long now cascaded down her back in shining waves. The biggest change was her eyes. Aqua eyes were now twinned iridescent prisms, catching and holding the light so that they sparkled.
She held out a hand to the mirror, letting her fingers run over her reflection.
“Are the changes permanent?” she asked curiously. Her eyes flared in surprise at her voice, which sounded like a harmony of voices rather than just one. As she turned her gaze to Joquil, each detail of the room stood out in sharp contrast.
She could detect individual fibers in the fabrics of the cushions and drapes and the flow of the wood grain in the chairs. She could also see with perfect clarity each strand of hair on the Master’s head and the multitude of emotions which moved rapidly across the Master’s face.
Master Joquil steadied himself before speaking. “I believe so, Damaskiri, however, you can use your magic to dampen the effects, so to speak.”
She turned back towards the mirror and blinked slowly. When she opened her eyes, they were aqua again, except for a thin band of iridescent light which remained around her pupils. Her glow had also dimmed, and when she spoke, it sounded like one voice, although still more melodic than usual.
“Will it always feel that way?”
Joquil inclined his head, “I don’t believe so, Damaskiri. Think of your body like a starving child. It would slowly die, yes? Well now imagine that you introduce that child to food. The child is starving and desperate, it will shove the food down as quickly as it can, and likely make itself sick in the process. Your body was much the same. When it found its magic, it greedily sucked in as much as it could, and the effects overwhelmed you. With more time, you will learn how to contain how much you take, and it should not affect you so.”
Helena nodded in understanding and moved back towards her seat at the table.
“So now that we know I have magic,” her lips twisted in amusement, “how do I pass my trial?”
Joquil smiled with her and leaned forward. “The Damaskiri’s trial is a test to gauge her depth and control of her magic. There is not much known about the specifics of the trial other than that it will test the furthest limits of a Damaskiri’s power. Given what we have witnessed today that will surely be a substantial feat.”
Helena nodded her head in agreement, “You could say that.”
Joquil chuckled. “You must remember to stay focused and the rest, as they say, will take care of itself.”
Overwhelmed, but vastly pleased, Helena sat quietly for a moment. She could feel the waves of her newly discovered power lapping gently within her. With the awareness came the knowledge that she could call its waves to action with the smallest inclination. The pool stirred at the thought.
“Joquil?” she asked too innocently, not ready to face the tasks of the afternoon.
“Yes, Damaskiri?” came the wary response
“Is there time for us to show the others?” childlike excitement laced each word.
“I believe we can make time.” He couldn’t help but smile in response to her reaction and indulge her. “Do you have something in mind, or should I just call for them.”
Helena’s smile grew, and her eyes twinkled mischievously, “I may…”
He groaned and shook his head, muttering as he left the room, “I am going to regret this, I already know it.”
Her laughter followed him out.
Standing quickly, she eyed the room looking for the perfect spot for her little performance. She chose to stand in front of the window, her back towards the door. She took a few deep breaths to help steady her emotions. She drew her magic to her, prepared this time as it flooded her. Before it could overwhelm her, she stopped it.
She heard the masculine voices approaching, and bit back a smile.
“Helena, what’s going on?” Darrin asked, concern evident.
“Would you still love me if I never found my power, Darrin?” she asked, her voice small and wavering slightly.
She heard the men shift behind her, their worry and fear palpable at the thought of her failure.
“Perhaps all you need is more time, Damaskiri,” came Timmins gentle response.
“No,” she said as she started to turn, “I’m afraid that wouldn’t help.”
As one, each of the men’s eyes w
idened, and their mouths went slack.
She had un-dampened the magic’s effect so that they could all witness it in full force.
Kragen was gripping the back of a chair so tightly that it snapped under the pressure.
Her peels of laughter rang throughout the room and seemed to echo with phantom other voices.
Timmins was recovering most quickly, his gasp of surprise turning into an admiring smile.
Darrin was the last to respond, his golden skin pale and clammy.
“You don’t like it?” she teased, “Perhaps this is better?”
She closed her eyes and let out a slow breath, feeling her body respond to her requests.
Shining chestnut waves became gray gnarls, and supple limbs shriveled with the weight of age.
As one, the men gasped in awe. To cast such an illusion so seamlessly, and without conscious effort, was stunning.
Darrin chuckled, the playfulness of his friend helping him to recover more than anything else could. “No, I can’t say I prefer the crone to the goddess, although to be fair both make me right nervous.”
Helena shook her head back and forth, releasing the illusion and calling back her magic dampened state.
Kragen whistled, “Gentlemen, I believe we’ve found our Damaskiri.”
“No, Kragen,” Joquil said warmly, “We’ve found our Kiri.”
Their cheers were deafening, and all she could do was laugh as they took turns spinning and twirling her about the room.
Chapter Five
The days continued to pass in a blur for Helena. It was a continuous cycle of dressing, changing and attending some formal ceremony at which she would smile and pretend to be vastly interested in conversations she couldn’t remember, with people whose names she had already forgotten.
There were rare moments that stood apart from the others, but overall it was a tedious process.
She had thought that her greatest challenge would be awakening her magic. However, the real test was learning to control and contain it. It took constant effort for her to keep her power leashed, but oftentimes if she were distracted, it would find a way to sneak out.
