Spellweaver

by Tamara Grantham

  “Yes, maybe,” I said. “It both gives life and destroys. It can also fill the entire world, or be as small as a seed.”

  Mochazon nodded. “I will try it.” He stood tall, and I felt the magic gather within him.

  Magical words were unique to each person and so could never be taught. Every word had to be discovered by the practitioner. The word that meant ‘light’ to Mochazon could have an entirely different meaning to me. It was a tedious process, and no one had ever learned all the magical words. Even Fan’twar, who had lived for hundreds of years and gained new magical words throughout his entire life, still had not learned them all.

  Mochazon held Uli to his chest as he spoke the word for ‘light’.

  “Gi’vellia,” he said, releasing his magic. The symbols on the bridge glowed brighter for half a second, but then they faded and the bridge began to shake. Dust rose into the air as chunks of the bridge fell away. Large boulders came loose and smashed to the ground far below. When the shaking stopped, we stood at the foot of a half-formed bridge. To cross it, we would have to jump across a wide gap.

  “I guess that means we came up with the wrong answer,” I said.

  “It must be something else,” Kull said. “What about water?”

  Mochazon shook his head. “I do not believe it would speak of water. My people dislike rain as it interferes with flight. The word would most likely be an element to aid those seeking out the tree.”

  “In that case, let’s think of something else. I don’t want to try another word until we’re certain it’s the right one.”

  “I agree,” Kull said. “We’ve tried light. It could be water, but most likely isn’t. What of the other elements? Air, perhaps?”

  “Yes, it could be air,” I said. “Air can both give life and destroy. It fills the world, yet can be as small as a seed. Plus, pixies use air while flying. It’s the best guess we’ve come up with so far.”

  “Do you have the word for air?” Mochazon asked me.

  “Yes,” I answered, stepping to the foot of the bridge. With my magic in the stones, my power flowed more sluggishly as I readied my word for ‘air’. Outstretching my hand, I let the magic flow through me and into the bridge.

  “Cirrus!”

  Magic drained from my body. The bridge’s symbols glowed pink and then shone brighter until the light enveloped the entire archway.

  “I don’t know what Geth has done to the bridge or how long the pixie’s spell will last,” I said. “We should cross quickly.”

  The men lined up and crossed one by one. Sweat beaded my brow as I waited, holding my breath as each warrior made his way across. Several men stumbled, but no one fell.

  I waited until almost everyone else had crossed to take my turn. When I stepped onto the bridge, the pixie magic surrounded me. It was an ancient power that had faded with time but was still a potent force. The gray glow of the goblin magic mingled with the mystic essence. Trying to keep my focus on crossing the bridge was hard to do with the goblin magic whispering to me. I sensed dark, malevolent forces at play, but what was their purpose?

  I’d made it halfway across when I came to the gap. Adrenaline raced through my blood as I leapt over it, landing awkwardly on the other side. Regaining my balance, I moved forward. I would kiss the ground as soon as I got off this bridge.

  A gust of air brushed against me, causing strands of my dark-reddish hair to batter my face. Taking controlled steps forward, I kept my focus on putting one foot in front of the other. When I finally stepped off the bridge, the breeze evaporated. Relief washed over me, though the feeling was short-lived as I turned to watch Kull cross.

  Despite his size, Kull walked with an air of confidence, as if he’d done this a million times before. Kull never ceased surprise me. Before I’d met him, I’d heard rumors about him, some more believable than others. It was said Kull was the only known being to kill a jagamoor and survive. With his bare hands. While he was tied up. Others claimed he’d only spilled his own blood once, and from it grew the dragons’ forest. And his tears were said to cure any disease.

  I held back a smile. Perhaps some of the rumors were exaggerated, but the fact remained that Kull was an impressive person. His skills in battle were unmatched, and he was passionate about protecting his family—to the death if need be. I still had trouble wrapping my mind around the fact that he’d chosen me over the elven princess.

  I couldn’t comprehend what he saw in me. I would ask him, but I didn’t feel our relationship was at that point yet. Would we ever be at that point?

  A tremor shook the bridge as I felt the goblin magic increase in intensity.

  “Kull, run!” I shouted.

  The entire bridge collapsed as Kull leapt across the empty chasm toward us. The sound of crashing rocks overpowered our screams. As he fell, Kull managed to grab the edge of the rock face. I rushed forward, grabbed his hands, and several other warriors did the same.

  My fingers slipped as I pulled him up, yet he managed to find a foothold and climb over the edge. The other men pulled him the rest of the way. Breathing heavily, we sat on the rocky ground together. After catching my breath, I focused on Kull.

  He flashed his rakish grin, the one I hoped he reserved only for me.

  “You,” I said, “are one unusually lucky man. Thank goodness for your dumb luck.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The warriors gathered around Kull and me as we sat on the cavern floor. Organized chaos reigned around us as the men barked orders. Kull ignored his men as he pulled me close to him, his strong arms encircling me.

  His warmth calmed my frantically beating heart. Watching him almost fall to his death had rattled me more than I cared to let on. He must have seen my distress because he pulled me closer, letting my head rest on his chest. Tears tried to leak from my eyes. I pushed them back, but it only made my quivering heart feel as if it would explode.

  “Don’t do that again,” I whispered, listening to the steady sound of his beating heart.

  “Were you worried for me?”

  I looked up, focusing on his intense blue eyes that seemed to drink me in. “What do you think?”

  “You shouldn’t worry,” he answered. “Were I to fall to my death, I would simply arrive in Valhalla, where I would slay everyone who opposed me in order to escape, return to our world, and claim you as my own.”

  I laughed and wiped away a stray tear. My tension seemed to disappear with his words. “You really think it’s that simple?”

  “Of course. We are not meant to be apart, Olive. I will always find you. No matter how far we become separated, I will always return for you.”

  His words stirred an unfamiliar emotion in me. It wasn’t an unpleasant feeling, but it made me realize I could never lose him. If I did, I would lose myself, too. And yet, a nagging voice inside my head told me that no one could care for me that much. I had my emotionless parents to thank for that.

  “Are you being honest with me, Kull?”

  “I swear it on my life.”

  His voice was deep, yet soft, and I knew he spoke the truth. He cupped my chin and pressed his mouth to mine. His lips felt warm and soft, and I melted in his embrace.

  He’d only kissed me a few times before, but each time had taken my breath away. This time was no different. My stomach fluttered with heightened emotion, and tingles ignited throughout my body, driving away my nagging worries.

  The men grew quiet around us. They backed off as Kull held me close, kissing me softly but with an intensity that whispered to my innermost thoughts.

  Did he have any idea how much I wanted him? I almost hoped he didn’t. To get so close to someone frightened me. What would I do if we ever connected more intimately? What would I do if I lost him? The thought frightened me, and I pulled away, my heart pounding loud in my ears.

  He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay?”

  I bit my lip, then nodded. “I’m fine. Just scared for you, that’s all.”

  H
e raised an eyebrow. “That’s all?”

  He’d always seen through my lies. He had a knack for seeing people’s true selves despite what they pretended to be.

  “Yes,” I answered, turning away from him. “That’s all.” I stood and backed away. “We should go.”

  A low, rumbling tremor shook the ground as Mochazon landed next to us. Uli stirred in his arms, then cracked her eyes open. Magic pulsed through her body, causing her eyes to glow brighter.

  “Something is happening,” Mochazon said.

  “Yes,” Kull answered. “I do not like this. I fear Geth may be closer to the tree than we realize.”

  “If so,” I said, “then we need to hurry.”

  Mochazon nodded before taking flight. He flew ahead, through a tunnel that curved downward.

  We followed, darkness engulfing us as we entered the cave. My pebble lanterns still gave light, though their glow had dimmed from my decreased magical powers. Their weak light gave off a faded bluish glow that seemed to make the shadows deepen. Tremors shook the ground and grew in intensity the deeper we went.

  I focused on Mochazon flying ahead of us. What was causing the tremors? The last time I’d felt tremors like this, I’d been in the cavern with the Everblossom Tree, and the goblins had been enacting a spell to call Theht back to our world. Theht, who I’d only recently learned was a powerful goddess, would have destroyed our world had she returned.

  A knot formed in my stomach. Something bad was happening to cause both the tremors and Uli’s sickness. I quickened my pace, feeling as if I couldn’t go fast enough.

  A bright light shone up ahead as the tunnel widened, and the scent of smoke pervaded the air. When we entered the enormous cavern, I took in my new surroundings.

  As I’d suspected, we’d entered the Everblossom’s chamber. Moss-like grass grew in patches on the ground, scenting the air with a smell that reminded me of spruce. As I stepped onto the spongy ground, my focus snagged on the cavern’s centermost point. Geth and his men surrounded a bonfire that blazed where the tree had stood. The fire roared with a white-hot heat so intense it warmed my face even from this distance. I couldn’t take my eyes off the burning tree.

  The tree had been the most beautiful sight I’d ever beheld. But now, flames licked over the pile of brittle wood, and the bonfire sent sparks of orange and gold dancing through the air as a huge crack sounded through the chamber. My throat constricted. I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sadness. Something sacred was being desecrated.

  This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be happening. That tree was the only source of pure magic in Faythander. If it were destroyed, I couldn’t begin to wrap my mind around the consequences.

  The rest of the group gathered around me, staring with shocked faces at the scene we beheld. No one spoke. I wasn’t sure if they were able to comprehend how bad this was—it could very well mean the end of magic as we knew it.

  Regaining my composure took a moment. What should I do? We were already too late to stop Geth. Was there any way to save the tree now?

  Mochazon stood beside me, still carrying Uli. She jerked awake and screamed. As she limped free of Mochazon’s arms, she rose into the air, though her wings remained still. Wind circulated around her, whipping the bonfire and making the inferno crackle and intensify.

  The group of Caxon warriors looked up. I found Geth standing near the tree. The sight of him made my skin crawl. At a casual glance, he didn’t look any different from the rest of his group with his tanned, careworn skin, leather tunic and breeches, but when our gazes met, I drew back—it was his eyes that frightened me. They held a calculated intelligence as if he knew exactly what he was doing and didn’t fear the consequences.

  Geth stepped away from the bonfire to face us. As he flexed his fists, I felt a phantom pain in my side where he’d injured me. The last time I’d seen him had been in his camp in the goblin lands when he’d fractured my rib and had almost executed Kull and me. I swallowed my fear as best as I could.

  “You’ve finally found me!” he said, smiling as he walked toward us. “I was beginning to believe you would never catch up.”

  “Geth,” I said, “what have you done?”

  His smile didn’t touch his eyes. “I have done what should have happened a millennia ago. I am creating equality.”

  “But you’ve destroyed pure magic. Faythander will die!”

  “It will not die—it will be reborn. Someday, you will thank me for what I have done.”

  Uli’s bare feet didn’t touch the ground as she floated toward Geth. Her simple clothing transformed into pristine white robes, and long locks of white hair replaced her tangled braids. Silvery strands lengthened and then flowed elegantly around her face. Magic emanated from the pixie with an electrical intensity that made my hair stand on end as I watched her transformation.

  I wasn’t sure what Uli planned to do. The tree had already been destroyed. Was there any way to save it now?

  Uli moved toward the fire with her hands thrust outward, her eyes glowing white until she had no discernible pupils. The power gathering around her grew so strong that it mingled with my own magic, making me lightheaded. I shut my eyes for a moment to let the dizziness pass, but when I opened them again, the room still seemed to teeter.

  I felt a comforting hand on my shoulder and looked up to find Kull standing beside me.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “I’m all right.”

  A tornado formed above Uli’s open palms, small at first, then growing in size. The Wults and I backed away from her, frightened by her power. As her whirlwind intensified, it moved to envelop the fire.

  I clenched my teeth as the dizziness receded, and instead, strong waves of pain pulsed through my body. Did Uli know what she was doing? The tornado wouldn’t just destroy the fire, it would kill us all.

  Thunder boomed, making the cavern shake, and making us fall to the cavern’s floor. The feel of the ground beneath my hands was my only link to reality. Between the intense heat and the sharp, stabbing pains, I was unable to stand. Sweat beaded on my face, and I tasted its saltiness on my tongue. Just as I felt as though the heat and pain would overcome me, the wind dissipated.

  I blinked, trying to focus, my ears buzzing in the silent chamber. As I stood, I found the Wults and Caxon warriors lying strewn about the floor. Charred piles of embers lay scattered in the area where the tree had once stood.

  Uli, no longer in her white robes, collapsed near the tree’s remains. Tears moistened her eyes, so she shut them. With her brows knitted and her lips pinched tight, her pain was evident.

  She had stopped the fire, but was it too late?

  The pain had dissipated, but my skin broke out in a clammy sweat as I limped toward her. My boots sank into the stray ash piles littering the ground, and I stumbled as my toe caught on a log buried beneath the cinders. Smoke rose from the ash piles and filled the air, making it hard to breathe. The men on the ground began to sit up, but I ignored them as I neared Uli. With her tatty clothing and disheveled braids, I was reminded of her mortality.

  She looked at me with pleading eyes as I approached. After crossing the distance between us, I knelt at her side. Resting my hand on her shoulder, I found myself at a loss for words. How could I comfort her after such a tragedy? No words could convey the loss I felt for her—for all of Faythander.

  “The Everblossom,” she gasped. “It is gone. I could not save it.”

  “You did the best you could.”

  “But it was not enough.”

  How could I comfort her? Words were useless in a situation such as this. The tree was gone, and although she’d done everything she could, she hadn’t been able to save it.

  But… what if there were still something we could do?

  I focused on what remained of the Everblossom’s smoldering remains. White ash lay in heaps around singed logs, and the charred scent of burnt wood filled the air. My eyes watered as I inhaled the smoke. When I looked more
closely at the mound, I noticed a green shoot growing in the midst of the ash. Its leaves fluttered, though I felt no wind. As I drew closer to inspect it, I found a tiny white bud growing from the shoot. Pure magic flowed through the bud, gaining strength with every passing second, but where was the magic coming from?

  Uli took my hand, and I turned to her. The energy of her magic was in her, just beneath her skin, flowing quickly, and then more slowly. With shock, I realized why her magic was weakening. The Everblossom’s magic was leaving her to enter the flower.

  “I give my life,” Uli said, “to preserve our world.”

  “Your life?” I asked. “What do you mean?”

  “It is necessary. Our world will die if I do not give my essence to the flower.”

  “What? Uli, no! There has to be another way.”

  “No, this is the only way.”

  “No! You must be wrong. Uli, stop this! We’ll find another way.”

  The Everblossom’s magic continued flowing from Uli into the flower, along with the pixie’s own essence. With horror, I realized there was nothing I could do to stop her. She was giving her life to save Faythander’s magic.

  The last of the magic flowed from her. As the magic filled the bud, it rose into the air, surrounded by a shimmering magical shield, and hovered above the bed of flickering coals, just out of my reach.

  The bud’s petals opened, revealing a whiteness so pure I had to shield my eyes.

  The magic’s light filled the entire cavern. I stared, awestruck, at the amount of power housed in that one tiny bloom.

  Uli squeezed my hand. “There is only one place it can take root. Over the sea of a thousand faces,” she gasped, “let the silver light show the way. The bloom will only flourish under the stars of the mirror-white sand. Only there will it be safe. Only then can our world be saved.”

  “Uli,” I whispered, “I don’t understand.”

  Her eyes didn’t meet mine. Could she hear me?

  “What is the silver light?” I asked. “Where is the sand?”

  “Know that magic in Faythander will cease to exist unless the blossom flourishes. All who possess magic—every plant and animal, every life, every soul—will die.”