He sat next to her on the bed and rubbed her back lightly. “Whatever you wish. I hadn’t thought healing to be so exhausting. You have amazing energy to help as many as you do.”
She leaned into him, her head on the rolling muscle of his shoulder. His arm slid around her, warm and comforting. “Thank you for all your help yesterday. Many men would surely have died had you not been there.” She gave a half-hearted laugh. “We all would have died in that first raid if you hadn’t been there.”
She felt his kiss on the top of her head. “Anytime, my love.”
She drew in a refreshing breath and pushed away from him. “I’m feeling well enough at the moment and I could do with a bath, then some fresh air. Would you like to go for a walk in the bailey?”
“This is your day. I’ll do whatever you want unless you want to be alone.”
“Let me have that bath and get dressed. Then we’ll take a walk.”
He was waiting in the room when she returned from the hot springs.
“I like this part,” he said leaning back on the bed, watching intently as she stripped off her robe and towel. She gave her body a little shake to tease him then found a sturdy gray dress and cloak, as well as her stockings and boots.
As they left, he put his arm around her. “You know if you have that much energy I can think of some other ways to spend our time.”
“I bet you can.” She gave him a playful elbow to his ribs.
As they made their way out to the bailey Davar asked, “That was something new you did yesterday, that sleep spell.”
The memory kindled joy and sadness within her. “It was far more effective than I’d imagined.”
“Where did you learn it? I’ve seen you calm emotions before, but never anything like that.”
“The archives.” The tinge of sadness deepened, swelling to a dull ache in her stomach and forming a tear in her eye. The memory that went with the feeling was just as melancholy. “On days when my work with Starsong wasn’t going well, I would take breaks and wander the archives. Old Anar usually found me. He had a preternatural sense for people among his stacks of books. He was the one who showed me the small section on multi-talent magic. I read some of the books on how to mix talents with various effects. I’d never thought to try it in practice, but yesterday I felt desperate enough to try. It’s a mixture of soul, body, and spirit, dulling emotions and filling the body with fatigue, then using spirit to reach those around you and connect to them more effectively.”
“Quite the trick. Was there more in that book?”
“So much more.” She shook her head. “I know Anar had been so eager for me to try something. I wish he could have seen yesterday.” But the old man had died in the raid on the Abbey months ago, the day Davar had nearly died.
“We should look into those books further. There may be some other useful tricks for when we attack the Blacklord.”
“I’ll show them to you tomorrow when we go down to work on Starsong.”
They had reached the bailey. Despite how spring was progressing there was a crisp chill to the morning air, but the day was bright and clear, the sun strong and warming the earth slowly. They made their way up the many steps to the top of the wall, and Cassine took in the amazing sight of the plains of Hallania stretched below the walls and hills on which they stood. With the armies having been camped below for so long, she’d not seen the plains in some time. Even from this distance, the scars of the army’s presence and the recent battle were clear to see, but also evident was the vast green expanse that surrounded the torn up areas. The plains would reclaim themselves soon enough. Life would prevail. That thought filled her with joy. She hugged Davar close beside her.
“We will win,” she said confident in her words.
“I wish I had your faith,” Davar said.
The hand that was not around Davar touched her belly, rubbing it slowly.
She hadn’t wanted to say anything before now as she hadn’t been certain of this new sensation within her, but she was sure she knew what it was now. There was the spark of a soul forming deep within her.
“Life will prevail,” she said slowly. She turned to him, pressing close in the cool morning air. “We must win for the sake of life. For the sake of new life.” She looked intently into his eyes. “For the new life I carry.”
He blinked. “Wha…? Are you…? Are we…?” He grinned, a large silly, lopsided, grin.
“Yes, you’re going to be a father.”
His surprised joy turned dark suddenly. “A father? What do I know of being a father? What if…”
She knew his fear. She could read it clearly in his dark eyes. “Do you really think you’d be anything like the Blacklord?”
“I…” He pulled away from her, turning to look out over the bailey. “I know he wasn’t a true father to me, but… Cass, you don’t understand, I… He…”
“You’re nothing like him.” She said and laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “And you know your mother now. You know who she was, what she was like. One of your parents was pure and loving. Carry that with you. Use that to be the father I know you can be. You love me and I know you’ll love this child.”
He took several long breaths, blowing them out through his mouth. “I’m going to be a father.” He seemed to be testing out the words. “A father… me.”
She put her arm around him and leaned into him. She couldn’t be more excited. Before she’d met Davar, she hadn’t thought she’d have children. She’d never found the right man. Yet she’d always wanted children. This was something she’d been dreaming of since she was a girl.
She kissed his cheek. “You’ve lots of time to get used to the idea. It will be many months before this child comes.”
“My child.” He was still staring out over the bailey though she had the feeling he saw nothing below and was seeing possibilities instead. “My child. I will have a child. We’ll have a child.” He looked at her, a smile spreading on his face. “Of all of the things I’d envisioned for my life, a child was never one of them, but now that I’m faced with it, I realize I want one. I want to be the father I never had. Thank you.” He kissed her with a sudden passion.
She laughed when he drew back. “You really don’t need to thank me, we both did this.”
“Right,” he said. “We should celebrate!”
“Yes, we should. But why don’t we wait a little? A few more days of working on Starsong and she’ll be whole again. Then we can celebrate that as well.”
“I’m going to be a father,” he repeated. “You’re right, we will win. We have to.”
Five days passed and their work with Starsong resumed in full force. Cassine was certain they were nearing the end of that work and grew ever more excited. As they’d gone to work in the archives on that fifth day, they’d all been anxious to get to work and free this sword from the darkness within it.
Once again, Senia and Wyllea were there to help her and Davar, but it was Cassine who was doing all the hard work.
A pure white light and an intense deep darkness warred for dominance with Starsong. This was so very different from the final battle within Davar. That had been a push against pure evil. This was more a whirlwind of confusion and identities. That which was Shadowfang clung desperately to existence, while the now greater part of the blade known as Starsong battled against it.
Yet this wasn’t what was supposed to happen. Well, the truth was Cassine had no clue how this was supposed to work, but this didn’t feel right at all.
No, don’t fight against the darkness Starsong, you need to… how to describe this? Fighting is what Shadowfang wants, more dismay and conflict. You need to accept that this was a part of you and let it go. That is how you defeat it.
No. The cry from the sword was vehement. There’s no way I could ever be any part of that filth. It’s disgusting and evil. I can’t accept that’s what I was!
But it is what you were. Don’t you see? Shadowfang is what you became, what you have
the potential to become if you submit to everything evil and dark within you. But that doesn’t mean it’s who you are or who you’re going to be. But you need to admit that it’s a part of you to move past it, to get back to being the radiant light you know you are.
You’ll never be rid of me, Shadowfang taunted. Somehow, the last vestiges of the black blade were stronger, held on longer than any before. Perhaps this was like Davar’s healing. For him as well there had been that last solid core of evil which had been so very hard to dispel. It just hadn’t had its own voice to express its displeasure. If you fight me I win, and if you accept me I win. You can never again be as pure as you were. I will always be a stain on your soul.
You’re a vile corruption and I will defeat you. I’ll destroy you! And yet again, the cycle of battle between light and dark ensued while Cassine could only watch.
Though, perhaps there was something Cassine could do. She’d been focusing on trying to soothe and eliminate the last of the darkness, but with Starsong constantly interrupting and trying to fight it, that had proven a near impossible task. So she changed her tactic. She grabbed the light instead, pulling it from the fight. Up until now, she’d only tried talking reason to Starsong, hoping the light side of the blade would help her, but that had garnered little. Now she calmed and soothed the light.
What are you doing? I’m not the one who needs fixing, Starsong said, the bright soul squirming in her grasp. Let me go.
No. You may be a weapon, but that doesn’t mean all you know how to do is fight.
Well of course not.
What else can you do?
I’m a beacon of light. I can blaze forth like the sun. I can create walls and orbs of light. I see the truth in all things dispelling shadows and deceptions. I’m not as strong in either talent, but I have access to both soul and spirit talents. I can bolster my wielder and heal their wounds. I am Starsong!
You know of the soul and how it works, right?
Yes, of course.
And if you were helping someone try to heal and expunge the darkness and evil from their soul, how would you do it?
I would… but that’s different, I’m… different…
No, you’re not. You’re a soul like any other. You just happen to be a part of a great weapon instead of in a human body.
But…
Really, are you still going to fight me? Cassine’s soothing of the light was working. She could feel it relaxing, calming, finding peace.
No. You’re right. But you can’t know what it’s like to live with that slimy… thing inside you for hundreds of years! She felt the equivalent of a shudder in this place of soul.
No I can’t, but if you resist any more than you’ll never be rid of it. So what do you say, are you going to help me, or fight against it and me?
I’ll help.
Thank all the Gods! Finally!
Cassine let out a great sigh. Then follow my lead. Watch what I’m doing with the soul and do the same. Cassine turned her attention back to the cloud that was Shadowfang. Another difference in this healing versus Davar’s was that the remaining bit of black was more amorphous and harder to get a hold of, where Davar’s had been a solid thing.
You’ll never cleanse me. I’m the purest distillation of evil you’ll ever see! I will fight you and evade you forever, Shadowfang yelled. Cass could imagine spittle and froth at the intensity of the sword’s vehemence.
You know, Starsong said casually, I’d forgotten that shadow is the element of deception and lies. I don’t think anything Shadowfang says is true.
Now you’re catching on, Cassine said and with a great bubble of soul-magic fully encapsulated the writhing mass that was Shadowfang. She could feel Starsong helping, lending energy. Then the essence within the blade began the arduous task of finally accepting that it had been corrupted and changed by the evil of the Blacklord.
Shadowfang fought back with lies and threats, but ultimately with Cassine and Starsong working on the soul together and with Senia and Wyllea helping in their respective realms, it was only a matter of time.
Though time was hard to gage in this place, it seemed to still take hours to dwindle the venomous essence which was Shadowfang. Then with a great and final push, Starsong grudgingly accepted the worst Shadowfang had done and let it go. The darkness within the blade was finally and ultimately destroyed.
Hands fell apart as Cassine, Davar, and the two scions emerged from within the blade.
“I can’t believe it,” Senia said slowly. “We’re done.”
Wyllea sighed heavily. “I won’t say it was easy, but that sure was a lot quicker than I thought it would be.”
Cassine smiled. “This is what we can accomplish when we work together. I’m certain now that we can defeat the Blacklord.”
The two other women smiled, but Davar was distracted. He stood, one trembling hand hovering over the hilt of Starsong. There were tears in his eyes. He’d been lending the others energy, connecting them to the sword and been aware of the changes, but he seemed unable to touch the sword now.
“This is my mother’s sword… my sword.” His hand raised a little, drawing back. “What if it… What if she doesn’t…?” He swallowed hard.
Cass took his outstretched hand in hers. “I’ve been working very close with her for some time now. She’s been waiting for this moment Davar.”
Slowly Cass pushed his hand onto the hilt. She hoped this, like the day not long ago when she’d told him about their child, would be a transition, a healing moment for him.
Davar’s eyes went wide and he gasped. “Oh.”
Senia laughed. “I remember my first moment with Emberthorn. It was rather…” She searched for a word. “…awakening.”
Wyllea laughed. “Mine was in the middle of a fight and more like a cold bucket of water or a slap to the face.”
Davar picked the blade up, holding it tentatively. He let out a long, slow, shuddering breath. His features fell, eyes tearing, mouth trembling, lips pressed.
He laid the sword down then bent over the table, half falling over the weapon and weeping like a babe.
“Well, that’s different,” Senia said, taken aback.
Cass laid a comforting hand on his back, connecting to his soul to see what was wrong. She was flooded with light and love and realized that nothing was wrong at all. This was a joyful reunion. Starsong was sharing all her memories of Davar’s mother with him. Two souls, perhaps even three, coming together in the perfect mingling of love and unity. This is what Shadowfang had never been able to give him.
She withdrew her hand. “He’s going to need a moment or two. There are a whole lot of emotions flowing between the two of them, some happy, some sad. It’s as if he’s meeting his mother for the first time, as well as bonding with Starsong.”
The two scions nodded their understanding.
“Thank you both for your hard work and help. Davar and I will be celebrating tomorrow in the grand commons. You’re both invited of course.” Cass hesitated then added. “We’re celebrating many things including my pregnancy.”
The two other women looked at each other, sharing a knowing smile. Wyllea spoke, “We knew, it was sort of all through your thoughts.”
“And I could sense the new spirit,” Senia said. “Even as new as it is, it’s very strong, that will be one powerful child.”
Cassine laughed. “I should have known. Thank you again.” She hugged them both. They left and Cassine returned to Davar, staying with him as he connected with Starsong.
Chapter 21
Days vanished and the summer solstice drew near.
Davar alternated between fear and doubt about the coming attack, and joy at his time spent with Cass. He just couldn’t bring himself to accept that the Blacklord could be defeated. So he spent every moment he could with Cass, whether they were planning their attack on the Blacklord’s palace with the High Abbot and the scions, or searching through the books on multi-talent magic in the archives, or celebrating
their love in bed at night. Any time with her was so very precious now.
She wasn’t showing any signs of the pregnancy except for the great radiant spirit that grew within her. Every day when he woke, he’d open his spirit talent up and sense the great strength of Cass’ spirit as well as the newer, ever so strong spirit essence within her. Cass had used her earth magic to resist morning sickness and was a joyous, radiant, glowing beauty as the pregnancy progressed.
Sometimes during the day, at moments when her heart was light and her joy overflowing, she’d start to glow like she did when impassioned, her skin giving off a faint aura of golden light around her. Others commented on this and joked in a friendly manner about her pregnant ‘glow.’
Davar glowed as well, if not actually giving off light. He felt a certain inner peace he’d never known before. He had everything a man could want, a loving woman, a child on the way, his darkness purged from him, and a newfound bond with a powerful weapon.
He’d been spending a lot of time with Starsong and loved every moment of it. She was amazing, light and cheery and full of vigor and joy. She loved to tell Davar stories of his mother, who’d apparently done much in her few years as a scion. Not so long ago Davar would have been repulsed by the thought of his bonded weapon being imbued with a bubbly, chatty, far too optimistic, woman’s soul. But he found her somehow perfect for him. Where Cass was the unconditional love he’d never thought he’d have, Starsong was the unconditional friend he had never thought he’d have.
Some evenings in bed he found himself telling Cass of all of the funny and strange things Starsong had said that day, or of some tale she’d told. Cass would laugh, full of love and not the least bit jealous of his relationship with the sword. Probably because she could do things with him that Starsong would never dream of.
His life was perfect, save but one thing, the threat of the Blacklord still hanging over them all. Yet as the day of their departure drew near, he found himself drawn into Starsong’s and Cass’ optimistic view of events. They would prevail. His fear and doubt diminished…
Scion’s Sacrifice Page 18
