The Phoenix Grail

by Helen Savore

  His eyes darted across the pile as he shut out Moralynn’s voice. He remembered Moralynn’s first motion—grabbing the dirt. But he wanted it to separate from the rest of the ground. He flipped his hands over, palm up, and lifted the air.

  The first layer rose and hovered before spilling down. Jamie felt it in the air, but couldn’t keep it there.

  “Jamie. Stop what you are doing.”

  He turned to Moralynn. “I can do this.”

  Jamie ground his teeth. He tried raising a smaller bit, but it fell. He did it again, catching it before it fell all the way. Movement. What if he kept it moving? This time, when he guided the ground to rise, he sent it circling, spooling in the air.

  It worked. It stayed up. Jamie continued to gather more dirt, spinning it faster. But a whole bunch of dirt alone wouldn’t do too much good. He tried imagining it condensing, becoming stronger, forming into a single thing.

  Pain burst along his arms. He fell.

  Dirt covered him, but he couldn't care less. Something much worse was wrong. His back ached from the fall, but he could barely tell given the horrid pain in his arms. They weren’t paralyzed, but they were stuck somehow. Something weighed them down beyond the ridges of pain.

  Voices spoke over each other, breaking his concentration.

  “Jamie, I told you not to extend…”

  “Jamie, are you okay?”

  “I said you were not ready…”

  Jamie lifted an eyelid. Sheets of white stuck out above and below his arms. “Is that bone? Bone!” His head rolled back again.

  “I’ll break it; it’ll help.”

  “No, don’t—” He wheezed too much to do anything useful.

  One, two, three, then four cracks assaulted his body. For new-grown bone, it certainly felt like it should be there, and it did not give up without a fight. None of the breaks were entirely clean. He wasn’t even sure what came out of his mouth, part scream, part wail, with a dash of whimper. He couldn’t stand the thought of more breaking, so he just ground the edges, another not so delightful feeling. It vibrated through to his teeth. Once he considered the edges safe he knit the muscle, and skin round his arms. He’d have to work on that later.

  He gasped when he finished. That had been harder than other attempts at healing. Fatigue filled him. Perhaps he’d call it a day here, no matter how intriguing this new magic was. If this was the result of Earth Shaping, then back to punching bag it was.

  To leave, he’d have to get up first. Jamie tried leaning on his elbow to steady himself, but he fell back. He couldn’t put any weight on it yet. Jamie growled and tried to sit up. He couldn’t hold it, though, and fell back until he hit dirt.

  The ground had risen beneath him.

  Jamie turned his head, but he couldn’t see it. He could sense it, though. He tried pushing on the ground and managed to force himself to his feet. How? The gauntlets were dead; the bone growth tore them to pieces which now littered the ground. He opened his fist and in it was the green stone he had thrown at Adhomai.

  He blinked. “Could someone explain what just happened?”

  Moralynn frowned, and Drea held a hand to her mouth.

  Adhomai was less speechless. “Congratulations, Jamie. You have handled your first mutilation.”

  33

  Alexandrea let out a long breath as she flopped onto a tree. She stretched, burrowing into a good bend, turning a yawn into a downward scale.

  She smiled at the sound of her voice within the orchestra of the forest. The patter of tiny mammalian feet punctuated the gentle breeze, revealed by the sway of naked branches.

  Alexandrea threw her perceptions wide, not focusing on any one thing, but taking in the sense of the forest. It had a peaceful quality that was soothing compared to the concerns colliding within her head. Alexandrea claimed she left to meet Moralynn, and Adhomai promised to meditate until her return. Alexandrea did not deny his lie, she lied, too. There was no clear match between time on Earth and the fae realms outside of equinox and solstice. Given that, they were never sure when Moralynn would visit, but now was certainly too early.

  Besides, Adhomai wasn’t the only problem on her mind.

  Alexandrea gazed at the small sway of the tree branches overhead, her eyelids falling to the hypnotic rhythm, until she heard a crunch.

  She spun, looking towards the house, but the sound came from farther in the wood.

  “Moralynn?” She trotted towards the sound, shoving aside the dormant branches. How was Moralynn here now? She must have spent no time on Annwn.

  Moralynn came into view. “Alexandrea, why do you wander the wood?”

  "You're here?"

  "Should I be elsewhere?"

  Alexandrea leaned into a tree as she pondered how to answer that. She hadn’t traveled them often, but the Earth Marrow was a dangerous place and took time to pass safely. Moralynn could obviously handle them better, but still, this time seemed especially short. Had she come by another way? The Earth Marrow was the only path between Earth and Fae, besides Avalon. And Moralynn had made it abundantly clear she would not visit that place.

  No, best to press on to more important matters. “Moralynn, we need to talk.”

  “We shall. We spoke of next attempting Dinas Bran? Are you prepared?”

  “No.” Alexandrea stopped. How did Moralynn expect them to set off at a moment’s notice? “Us, I need to speak with just you and me.”

  Moralynn glanced over her shoulder, but continued walking. “Yes, we are talking. Me and you. What is it you wish to say, child?”

  “Why won’t you stay still?” Alexandrea looked down, making sure to not misstep between the stones spanning the small stream. “There once was a time when you spoke only to me.”

  Moralynn shuffled her feet to straddle the stones. “My child, you should not worry. You are my heir, never doubt that.”

  Alexandrea tried to suppress the surge of pride, not let it distract her from her point. “That isn’t it.” She stepped forward and took Moralynn’s hands. “Are you sure you are doing the right thing with Jamie’s training? He could really hurt himself.”

  Moralynn squeezed her hands, her gauntlets pressing into her flesh. “That is the point. He can get hurt and fix it. Is this what the fae feared? Druids with the speed of instinctual healing, able to mend a multitude of mutilations from foci mishaps.” She closed her eyes a moment. “I was not aware of this tactic, but, then, my learning was different. When I was last here, Jamie learned in weeks what takes fae years. Is that not good news?”

  He gained years in training while he lost how much life? Alexandrea’s heart beat quickly. She was afraid. Not just for her friend, but for herself. This was about his well-being first, right? And not her fear of losing her place? If he continued at this rate she would surpass what she had learned from careful years of study.

  Alexandrea shook their joined hands. “If that is the case, should I, too, start using such tactics?”

  “No. It is not meant for you.”

  “Why?” Her gaze dropped. “You think that he is… better? More suited to Shaping than I?”

  Moralynn let their hands fall. “I think you are my heir.”

  Alexandrea did not stop the smile this time. A small stream of moisture escaped from her eyes. If they found the Grail in time she would be the Phoenix that flew. Still, she had to know what Moralynn thought. “But what does that make Jamie?”

  “A glorious asset.”

  Alexandrea frowned.

  “Ally?” Moralynn said. “What he is does not matter to us.”

  She walked again, and Alexandrea fell in step beside her.

  “What is your concern?”

  Despite the reassurances, Alexandrea found the thread of anxiety again. “I just don’t want to see anyone get hurt.”

  “He will not. You will not.” She squeezed Alexandrea’s hand again. “None of us will get hurt. We are Druids.”

  Her response caught in her throat. They could fix any injury, bu
t for how long? Jamie wasn’t showing any signs of aging, but the damage he was addressing would take months off his life. Had Lady Fate given him a longer string? Why was Moralynn not concerned?

  They broke out of the forest, onto the edge of the built structures on the property.

  “Now, where is he?”

  Alexandrea pulled away and stepped towards the cobbled stones. “I thought we were Grail hopping when next you came? Dinas Bran, remember?”

  Moralynn ducked to scrape the stone. “Yes, I would like to take him along. Let him demonstrate his mineral techniques in a new environment.”

  Alexandrea wrinkled her brow. “Is that a wise idea?” Alexandrea was already concerned with how deeply he studied shaping. Those things could help him with the fae he inevitably saw. But to involve him in the Grail search was not necessary.

  “If he is to be our ally, he should be allowed to assist.”

  Shade crept into the sky as they crested a ridge on the hill.

  Alexandrea swept a hand. “Dinas Bran. Potential site of Castle Corbenic, whose King once quested and held the Cauldron of Rebirth. At least, according to the Mabinogion.”

  While not on the highest rise, the hill still had a commanding view of the valley below. Alexandrea’s eyes sought the crumbling stone. The sturdiest structures remained, the outer walls, corners, some archways. Her heart swelled as they climbed the last of the gravel incline.

  Jamie came and stood next to her, shading his eyes with a hand on his brow. “It doesn’t look like a castle.”

  “Was a castle.” Adhomai passed the pair and slipped between tourists to lay a hand on the crumbled wall. He drew it along the porous stone surface. “It is in ruins now. The old castle would be too young for what we seek.”

  Jamie twitched. “Why the field trip then?”

  She took a step forward, not wanting to draw attention at the threshold. “We’re searching for something.”

  “I knew that.” He leaned in close and whispered, “The Grail, though you haven’t been too clear on what it looks like.”

  “Not here,” she muttered and waved at another passing stranger.

  They might not have chosen the best time to come. It was an open site, so there was no official closing time. Still, they could have waited for nightfall, though their own lights might be spotted and be seen as suspicious. She strolled along the outer part of the ruins, looking for a bend. Jamie followed, and they found a passage to be alone in.

  “Like I said, this is Dinas—”

  “Oh, bunk.”

  Alexandrea blinked. “But I thought you wanted to know more about this?”

  “You know I don’t know history.”

  “It’s actually more of a legend.”

  “Well, that either.” He pushed off a wall and placed a hand on it. “I guess I should learn more.”

  Alexandrea followed Jamie’s gaze to both Moralynn and Adhomai, hands brushing the walls as they walked the perimeter.

  “So, no one else really can see them?”

  She caught his gaze. Funny it had taken him so long to ask. “Adults, no.”

  Jamie straightened. “But children?”

  Alexandrea smiled. “You need an imagination to believe what you’re seeing.”

  Jamie crossed his arms. “So what does that say about me?”

  That was a question she wondered herself. She turned away, ostensibly to look back at the pair.

  “I’m not sure about the imagination.” He tapped his forehead. “Maybe it’s about being a child at heart.” He put a hand on his chest and bowed to her. “What do you think?”

  “Jamie!” Moralynn’s bellow interrupted them.

  He flashed Alexandrea a grin and stepped towards Moralynn. “Yes?”

  “This way.”

  Alexandrea glanced about, but couldn't tell where Adhomai was. She didn’t mind. Moralynn had not charged her to watch the fae elder while she was present. Alexandrea appreciated any respites she had from his consistently cloying company.

  Moralynn stopped when they reached an arch, the most intact piece of the place.

  Moralynn tapped it. “I am serious. I want you to sense this time. No movement, no shaking. Only looking.”

  “I won’t hurt anyone.” Jamie stepped forward, looked to Moralynn, and put a hand on the edge.

  “Good.”

  Jamie’s hands grazed the stones. “What am I looking for?”

  “You are practicing. Get a feel for this wall, what do you sense?” Moralynn touched the stone one more time and walked away.

  Jamie turned his head in the direction Moralynn walked as she left. Then he looked to Alexandrea. “Any hints?”

  A couple walked between them at that moment and stopped. “Pardon?”

  Jamie waved. “Oh no, I was speaking to…” He waved again. “Can you come closer?”

  The couple shook their heads and moved on.

  Alexandrea shook her head, too. “No, not really.”

  He faced the wall but continued speaking to her. “Come on, Drea.”

  “You have to learn it.”

  “I am learning it.” He rotated a shoulder. It pulled and rippled his shirt across his back. “I’ve got the bruises to prove it.”

  “Don’t kid.” Alexandrea smiled, and she shifted to lean against the wall. “You don’t bruise anymore.”

  “Really?” He tore his face from the wall and caught her eye. “So you noticed?”

  She reached out a hand, but hesitated, afraid it would seem too familiar. She frowned and continued, using two fingers to tease out a strand of his hair. It was white. “This worries me.”

  He blew it away. “It’s only hair. You know, I bet I could do something about that, too.”

  “Don’t try.”

  “It won’t work?”

  She shook her head and considered commenting on the proper uses of healing. “No, you’re supposed to be studying the stone.”

  Jamie paced, running a hand along the wall. “They are rocks. A series of rocks. Each individual and unique. It’s exhausting looking at each one.”

  Alexandrea tapped her foot. “What about the ground?”

  “The ground? Why? Is there a point?”

  She rolled her eyes. He just asked for a hint then questioned her? “I’m just asking. How does the series of stones feel compared to the ground?”

  Jamie squinted and ducked. He thumped a hand along the ground, then rapped the bottom of the stone wall. He rocked back on his heels and stood.

  “Well, when compared to that, it is more than just a bunch of stones,” he said. “Something binds them together.” His hands hovered over the wall again. “It’s both. Individual stones and a wall. Now that I recognize the wall, I can sense not just this, but the other parts that were once connected.”

  That was more than Alexandrea had suspected. “You can see that far?”

  “It’s only meters.” He snapped his fingers and pointed to the skyline. “Now those ridges, that would be more interesting.”

  Alexandrea stood. “You don’t sense those, do you?”

  “No,” Jamie said, shaking his head. “What does a mountain feel like?”

  He looked at her, right into her. Why did he keep doing that? “I don’t know.”

  He stepped close. “Stop holding out on me, Drea.”

  She lifted her hands. “I really don’t know.” She peered around. No one was nearby. She tilted her head and spoke a tad above a whisper. “I am not particularly proficient in Earth Shaping. I’ve learned enough to help me with plant manipulation.”

  She took a breath and lifted a hand to twirl the air. “I’m better at things with currents: water and air.” She summoned a small eddy of wind. “They have a comely sinuosity that resonates for me.”

  Alexandrea could sense Jamie looming, but he eventually took a step away. “I always thought you moved against the current, Drea.”

  What did that mean?

  “And I’m more thick, like a rock.” Jamie cont
inued.

  She quirked a brow but couldn’t disagree. She stifled the laugh, though.

  He stood farther back. “So, looking for something?”

  She glared over her glasses. She still heard the murmur of voices. Moralynn and Adhomai could walk by any second and hear the wrong part of the conversation. “They’re on it.” Although, if they hadn’t sensed anything by now, it was unlikely to be here. Not that they ever knew quite how long to look.

  “I think I’ve found something,” said Jamie.

  “What?” Alexandrea said, stepping beside him and looking. All she saw was stone.

  “Not here.” He motioned. “Round that bend, at the base. There’s a hollow spot. And something is in there.”

  “Truly?” If so, why had they not found it yet?

  Her heart stopped. Could this be it? The Grail? In her lifetime? But they couldn’t find it this casually.

  “Come on!” Jamie scampered away.

  “Jamie?”

  “The view.” He paused to gesture before dashing again. “I bet that spot… you’ve got to see this.”

  She walked over, but still grumbled. That was only a touch more circumspect. This wasn’t the place, but she’d have to teach Jamie a lesson in how to properly hide.

  When she got to the base, he was already on his hands and knees, searching the stone.

  A woman stopped by them. “What is he looking at?”

  Alexandrea waved. “Oh. We were, um, we dropped something.” She brushed her chest, reaching for the psyche foci she no longer had.

  The woman smiled back and waved as she walked away. “I hope you find it.”

  “Drea?”

  “Be careful,” she hissed as she ducked, too. “Don’t draw a crowd.”

  “It’ll only take a moment.” He nudged against the stone beneath the foundation. “I’ll come in from underneath, not disturbing the wall.”

  Alexandrea saw the ground open, he was already manipulating it. She looked around and tried to stand in front of his work. “Are you sure you’ve got it?”

  “Of course I…” His voice dropped. “Uh oh.”

  The rock beneath the foundation crumbled, and the wall fell down.