by Halle Dean
Melody coughed and spoke with a hoarse voice. "Leave him be."
"Oh? Do you have some energy left?" Edric asked, raising his eyebrows. "That's no good. It's unfortunate that I've washed up already. I'll have to make tomorrow that much worse."
She raised her head and he looked surprised. "I don't care what you do to me," she said. "You will leave Warner out of this. None of this is his fault."
"He doesn't see it that way," Edric mused.
"It doesn't matter how he sees it," she snapped. "I'll stay here the rest of my life before I'll let you harm him."
"You're so defensive of the man who tried to kill you."
She dropped her head back down and closed her eyes against threatening tears. She'd held them back so long; she wasn't going to let Edric see her cry. Whatever it took, she would save Warner. It was the least she could do to make up for her mistake.
"It's my fault," she said quietly.
"I know that, Miss Munday," Edric said, walking away. "Even so, your brother is a threat now we know that he's capable of that magic. He may not even realize it yet, but he will soon. I must eliminate him before then."
"No," Melody breathed. "You can't. You made a deal!"
Edric looked over his shoulder as he opened the outer door to the dungeon. "When has that ever stopped me from doing as I please?"
"No!" she gasped, struggling against her restraints. "I won't let you! I'll—" The door slammed shut behind Edric. Melody gave in to her chains and collapsed again, coughing up blood and letting her tears fall. "I'll… stop you..."
Seven
A Different Magic
Warner finished drawing the symbols in the dirt and began to trace out a large circle around them. He kept his face down, unable to look at Sophie. As much as he had loved the feeling of kissing her again, which he very much had, he knew that doing so had hurt her. And then he had actually injured her on top of that. He hadn't even been with her a day and he'd already confirmed any fears she had.
Other Warner scoffed. It's what she deserves.
What? For existing?
Indeed.
"What are you doing?" Sophie asked.
"You are still exhausted," Warner said. "You need to rest and, since I can't carry you, that means we must stop."
It would be easier to kill her, other Warner insisted.
"But why the circle and the strange pictures?" she asked.
"Did you not learn Magic Speak?" Warner asked.
"I thought it looked familiar," she said, shaking her head. "Edric wouldn't allow me to learn it. I don't know many spells because I couldn't read the words in my magic book. I could only understand the drawings for the hand signs."
"You have a magic book?" he asked.
"It was my father's," she said. "I managed to get my hands on it and hide it from Edric. But everything about using the spells is in Magic Speak. I can cast the simple ones fairly well by using the hand signs, but they're not very powerful."
"That's impressive, nonetheless," he said.
Oh, yes. So impressive, other Warner said, sounding bored.
"Not as impressive as what you can do," Sophie said. "The descriptions in my book aren't in Magic Speak. I know that stilling magic is extremely advanced and keeping it up uses a lot of magic energy. And I can hardly believe that you can use The Void."
Warner scratched the back of his head, still not looking at Sophie. "I have a great deal of magic energy, even without the store of sorcerer magic," he said. "It's… Well… It's more than most people have. With the sorcerer, it's doubled, so—"
"Doubled," she repeated. "That's incredible."
"Yes, but since the other Warner began to try to take over, I can only use all of the magic energy if he agrees," he said. "There are some truly amazing spells I can't manage. It works the other way around though," he continued, finishing the circle in the dirt. "He couldn't use true devastation magic unless I was to allow it."
Ridiculous, other Warner growled.
"Devastation magic?" Sophie said. "What is that?"
"It's exactly what it sounds like," Warner said. "I'm not surprised that it was left out of your book. It's terrible. I… well… I used devastation spells before. You saw the results of that after I… left. But that doesn't compare to true devastation magic. It's a specific spell meant to destroy completely. It breaks down everything, even magical barriers."
"And you can do that?" she asked, wide eyed.
"If I use most of my magic energy, yes," he said, raising a hand over the Magic Speak symbols on the ground. "It's one of the most powerful spells in existence. There is only one spell stronger, but no one has the ability to use it."
"And what spell is that?" she asked as the inscription under Warner's hand began to glow with a faint blue light.
"The only one that can counter true devastation magic." The light spread to the surrounding circle as he spoke. "It's true protection magic, but it's only been heard of in legend. No one knows its name, so no one can use it, even if they had the magic energy to support it, which no one does."
"Oh!" she exclaimed. "I know what you're referring to! That story with the magician that tried to take over Deyinfor?"
Warner nodded as the light under his hand faded away, along with the Magic Speak symbols. "But the sorcerer protected everyone."
"I thought that was merely a story," Sophie said.
A foolish story, at that, other Warner said.
"Many people think that," Warner said with a shrug. He sat down on a rock, inside the circle. "I prefer to believe that true protection magic exists. It gives me something to work towards."
Something foolish, other Warner chided.
Be quiet, Warner grumbled inwardly.
"But how?" Sophie asked, remaining outside the circle. "You said that no one has the ability to use it. So you cannot cast it."
"The sorcerer in the story couldn't either," he reminded her. "He didn't have the magic energy to support the spell. He had to use his own life force to make up for his lack of magic. I could do the same."
"But he died because of it," she pointed out.
Warner shrugged. "That doesn't change anything."
"So you work towards death?" she asked, incredulous.
"If I die to save everyone from such a thing, perhaps that will be enough to make up for the past." He sighed. "It doesn't matter now, though. You'll end my life once we save Melody."
"I most certainly will not," she objected.
He looked up at her in surprise. "What?" he asked. "Why not?"
"Do you wish for me to have to live with that?" she asked, crossing her arms and pursing her injured lips.
"Live with what?" He was very confused. Wouldn't her life be better without him?
"How do you feel now, knowing your hands have taken the life of another person?" she asked. He looked down again. "You wish for me to feel that as well?"
"It's different for me," he murmured. "The world would be better without me, the way I am."
"And what about true protection magic?" she exclaimed. "If you're so set on dying, at least die for a good reason!"
He stood up quickly, causing her to jump backwards and trip over a tree root. Before she hit the ground, he threw his arm out towards her, extending his pointer finger. She froze in mid air, looking shocked. He bent his finger back toward himself and she hovered through the air, into the circle. He set her down gently and released his spell.
"If you're going to shout, please do it inside the circle," he said.
"You can't use telekinesis on living things!" she exclaimed, getting to her feet.
"I don't need another good reason to die," he said, ignoring her protest. "Every day the darkness is fighting to take over. At times, he doesn't even have to be in control for me to do things I'm not proud of. I can't take it anymore, Sophie."
"Warner, please—"
"No!" he said. "I cannot forget." He dropped his face into his hands. "I've tried everything to forget. Nothing
works. He tells me it will go away if I let him take over completely, but I can't let him. You and Melody would both have to die. And he would destroy everything if he had that much power. My only option is death. He won't win, and I won't have to replay that night in my head every time I try to sleep."
Idiot, other Warner said.
"You're an idiot," Sophie unknowingly echoed.
See? other Warner laughed.
Warner raised his head a bit and stared at his hands. He knew they were physically clean, but he could still visualize them covered in blood. The king and queen's... Melody's... Sophie's...
"Stop acting as if everything is about you."
"Excuse me?" he asked, looking up at her in disbelief.
"You have a lot of power and skill," Sophie said. "You could be doing great things. You could help people and save people, as you always wanted. As you used to do."
"But—"
"I'm not finished," she snapped. Warner fell quiet as she continued. "Never in my life have I seen you give up, and I don't plan on seeing it now. If you want to learn true protection magic and die that way, go right ahead. But at least do something good with your life before you throw it away."
"Sophie..." he said softly.
"I'm going to sleep now," she said. "That's why you created this circle, yes?"
Warner nodded, still processing. "It's repel magic," he explained. "Nothing can get inside. And nothing can see or hear us as long as we're in the circle." Sophie began to lie down on the ground, but Warner waved his hand and brought a mattress and blanket from The Void. She sat up in surprise. "You don't want to sleep on the ground, do you?" he asked. "And it's cold out."
She looked at the mattress for a moment before glancing at Warner. "What about you?"
He sat down on the forest floor. "I won't be sleeping."
"You won't?" she asked, looking at the mattress with obvious longing.
"I won't," he insisted, imagining how tired she must be. "Go on and sleep now." As she climbed onto the mattress, he noticed the glint of silver on her wrist. "What is that?" he asked.
"Hmm?"
As she reached for the blanket, her sleeve pulled back, revealing a silver bracelet. Warner jumped to his feet and she started in surprise.
Why does she still wear it? other Warner asked.
"Why do you wear that?" Warner asked, staring at the bracelet, taking note of the deep blue stones set into it. She followed his gaze to her wrist and then gasped. She yanked her sleeve down to hide it, but Warner already knew exactly what it was. "Why are you still wearing it?" he asked, trying to decipher her expression.
"I—" She looked down, voice quiet. "—I don't know."
"Have you been wearing it this entire time?" She didn't answer. "Sophie—"
"Yes," she mumbled. "Yes, I have. I don't want to speak of this any longer."
"But—"
"Good night, Warner," she said, lying down.
He fought back a smile as she closed her eyes. Why would she still wear the bracelet? he wondered.
I told you, other Warner said. Emotions cause weakness. She is weak.
She closed her eyes, right in front of me, Warner thought. She isn't afraid to sleep, even while I sit beside her! That's a good sign, is it not? Trust. It's a sign of trust.
It's a sign that she's tired, other Warner countered.
She doesn't want me dead, though, Warner pointed out.
She doesn't want you to die until you make up for five years ago, other Warner said.
Be quiet! Warner shot back in annoyance.
I'm only being truthful, other Warner chuckled.
I don't need truthful, Warner thought. I need a moment of peace.
Eight
Broken Trust
Warner sat on the opposite side of the circle from Sophie, but she was still very aware of his presence. She needed time to think, so she had pretended to sleep, but she couldn't relax when he was so close to her. She wished she'd learned more about magic before running away. If she knew how it worked, she could confirm what Warner had told her. She held back a sigh, not wanting him to know that she'd been feigning sleep. She heard him mumbling and wondered if he was talking to the other Warner again. Then he called her name.
"Sophie," he said quietly.
Does he realize that I'm awake? she wondered. Can he sense consciousness as well as magic? She sighed, resigned, before responding. "Yes, what is it?" He didn't respond, so she opened her eyes to see him slumped over on the ground. She sat up, worried that something might have happened to him. "Warner?" she said, sliding off the mattress. "What's wrong?" He mumbled unintelligibly. "Are you sleeping?" she asked. He shifted, but didn't get up. "You are," she breathed with relief before moving towards him. "You must have been very tired to fall asleep sitting upright."
His hair was falling into his eyes, which were squeezed shut like he was in pain. Sophie reached out to brush his hair away, but hesitated. He murmured her name again and she withdrew her hand in surprise. He didn't open his eyes or move, though, so she supposed that he was still asleep. She wondered what exactly he was dreaming of and wished she could use seeing magic so she could look into his mind.
"'M'sorry," he said, his eyebrows pulling together.
"I know," she said softly. At her words, his whole body seemed to relax. A peaceful expression came over his face and he let out a content sigh. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do, Warner," she murmured, gathering the courage to brush the hair out of his face. He tilted his head, leaning into her touch, but she pulled her hand away.
Getting to her feet, she looked around. She wondered how soon the knights would find her again if she left the circle. They had found her on four separate occasions, but she had managed to lose them every time. She decided to take her chances and approach the edge of the circle. When she tried to cross the line, her path was impeded by an invisible wall.
"Of course," she sighed. "It's just as well. I don't even know which direction to go at this point."
"Sophie?" Warner's voice said from behind her.
"Please dream about something else," she mumbled.
"What?" he said, sounding confused and drowsy.
Sophie spun around to see Warner propped up on his elbow. "Oh!" she squeaked. "You're awake."
"How long have I been asleep?" he asked, pushing himself into a sitting position. "I'm sorry. I meant to be keeping watch."
"Is that not what the protective circle is for?"
Warner scratched the back of his head. "Well, yes," he said. "But I still meant to keep watch in the event that someone turned up. Someone could set up camp around the circle and trap us here."
"How likely is that to happen?" she asked.
"It's happened to me twice," he grumbled, sitting up. "Once with the knights and once with a pack of wolves."
"Wolves?" she repeated, eyes wide. "I haven't seen any wolves!"
"I put a repelling spell on you when I found you the first time," he told her.
Sophie patted herself down frantically, as if she could feel the spell. "What? You did? Why?"
"It has worn off by now," he said. "And why do you think I did it? I don't want you eaten by wolves."
She sat down on the edge of the mattress. "Oh," she said. "Thank you."
"I didn't realize you could use magic," he said. "I stayed far enough away that I was unable to sense it properly. In any case, you don't have a lot of magic energy to begin with."
"About that," she said. "I hadn't heard of the ability to sense magic before."
He shrugged. "I don't know why I can," he said. "Until the sorcerer magic changed, I didn't have the ability. I assume it has something to do with that."
"Very odd," she said. "Very convenient, though."
"I suppose," he said. "Though, this extra magic has been more trouble than the convenience is worth."
Sophie changed the subject. "I have a question." He waited and she took a deep breath. "Where have you been?"
"W
hat do you mean?" he asked, seeming wary.
"It's been five years," she qualified. "Where did you go for five years? You can't have been in the forest this entire time."
He shrugged again. "I was in many different places," he said. "I moved my house whenever someone came across it. For the past few years, I've mainly been in Milvona. Most people outside of Coriander don't recognize me, and don't care very much either."
"So you were as close as Milvona?"
He nodded. "I joined the Magics Society."
"What is that?"
Warner looked at her in confusion. "You haven't heard of it? Edric really did keep you away from magic, didn't he?"
"He tried his best to keep me from everything," she said. "And the only people that could have helped me were too afraid to go against him."
"When did he become a magician?" Warner asked. "He wasn't one when I left; I'm sure of it. He does have quite a bit of magic energy though..."
It was Sophie's turn to shrug. "He began to use magic within a few months, once he took the throne. I'm not sure where he learned it. The people were quite upset, from what I heard."
"Your father used magic, didn't he?" Warner pointed out. "No one took issue with him."
"My father didn't use his power to threaten people that get in his way," she said grimly. "His way was generally decent in any case. Most people disagree with how Edric rules."
"Why are you not ruling?" Warner asked. "You're twenty-one now. More than old enough. Even at sixteen, you should have ascended to the throne."
"As far as anyone else knows, I'm dead," she told him. "Edric told everyone that you killed everyone else and he barely escaped with his life. He found me in my room after you left and locked me up."
"That bastard," Warner grumbled. "Then, why are the knights out looking for you?" He crossed his arms. "Mason can be a pain in his own way, but he's a good man. I cannot believe he would go along with this."
Sophie shook her head. "He thinks I'm an impostor," she explained. "Edric told the knights that there's a woman impersonating me in order to take over the kingdom."
"They believed that?" Warner asked, incredulous. "I wonder why he didn't say anything about that when he found me."
