Freedom is the most important gift from the Taleni; indeed, freedom of thought is what separates humans from animals.
----Gizelle Floren Elkek of Toopek
The sun had passed its zenith. Dylin breathed the fresh air of Darkwood, free from Gallel for a few hours. Arms empty without her baby, she stretched her back as she skipped along the foliage-strewn path, her linen skirt swishing the bright leaves. Autumn chill had returned, and other than a hint of acrid smoke, the air felt fresh and clean, like that dazzling object had made everything new.
A pile of cloth lay rumpled on the side of the path just outside Ocher, which was a twenty minute walk north of Vishall's Logan Bridge. When Dylin stepped closer, sunlight glinted on a bluish, thin hand stretched over roots. The hand was a little too pale, and a little too blue, but she recognized to whom it belonged.
"Gizelle!"
She ran to the side of the old woman and touched Gizelle's forehead to check for any stirrings of wari, just as Amara had taught. Dylin's wavy black hair had been pulled back, but a few strands fell over her shoulder as she leaned over her would-be trainer. While warmth lingered in Gizelle's flesh, the wari was silent, as was the heart. Dylin's fingers warmed as her wari infiltrated Gizelle's waterways, and the girl's arms and feet cooled. The old woman's heart stirred, her throat rasped, then her eyes slit open. Orange sunlight slanted across her thin face, and the eyes seemed large and dark.
"Hel...!" Gizelle's throat tightened; Dylin doubted words could easily form without her wari flowing freely.
"What's happened?" said Dylin. Her energy pushed heat from inflamed flesh, encouraged Gizelle's wari to flow. Gizelle relaxed. "I can't find anything broken, but your muscles are swollen! You likely can't talk much now, but I want you to tell me what happened when you can. I think your spirit was gone when I came, but I see only symptoms, no cause. I'm not very experienced, but I've never heard of anything like this, and Amara told me many stories."
Gizelle's breaths came deep and slow as Dylin let her energy seep into her, and a few minutes later, the old woman whispered, "I was dead?"
"I think so, your heart wasn't beating, but you weren't cold. Your spirit hadn't found the Escort yet, or you wouldn't have come back. I don't know what I did, because I don't think it's possible to bring back the dead."
"Experienced water mages can work miracles." Gizelle brushed trembling fingers across her forehead. "But it is nearly impossible to permanently take a water mage's life by merely stealing her wari, unless you do some serious damage, or the mage doesn't want to return. Especially with another water mage close at hand."
"I didn't know that was possible."
"At your age, I'm not surprised." Gizelle's breath rasped. "Though, you have the potential to do miracles. Thank you." Her eyelids twitched, and she seemed to focus on Dylin only with difficulty. "You did nothing more than passively fill my waterways."
"Amara told me a little about waterways. That's where wari flows."
"Your trainer was called Amara?" Dylin nodded. "Dear child, I had a water mage cousin by that name. We grew up together, went to school together, but parted ways when I followed my enemy, and she did not."
"Amara Elkek of Toopek," said Dylin. "She protested my marriage."
"Undoubtedly."
"My... mother... had her killed when she tried to go after me."
"Dear Taleni!"
"But you're... well, old," said Dylin. "She was merely middle aged. How could you have grown up together, even if she was blue like you?"
"There are ways for a mage to extend her life," said Gizelle.
There was simply so much Dylin didn't know. How fortunate to have finally found another trainer, and one who knew Amara!
Gizelle continued her lesson. "Wari doesn't really flow in water, though your veins and tissues are full of it. Wari flows much like water, and it heals and cleans like water, so the mage jargon over time developed to call its channels through the body waterways." She grimaced, then glanced warily into the trees. "It is so good to have a wari student again, it's been so long since I've been of a mind to do this. I hope I get the opportunity to teach you."
"That's what I came here for," said Dylin, more brightly. "I don't like servants watching Lianna, even if that's what they're hired for, but I guess everyone needs a sitter once in a while. I can leave her as long as I'm not gone for more than a day, or they'll think I abandoned her. Not that they would really think that, but there are those in Gallel who would like to see me gone and they'd use any excuse to banish me."
"I'm grateful you're here, dear." Gizelle patted Dylin's hand. "You saved me, at least for now."
"What has happened?" Dylin helped her sit up. When she did, Gizelle squeezed her eyes shut against the pain that Dylin still felt burning inside her.
"I have an old enemy who does not like to see my freedom from her. I'm sure she's not done with me, but your company is welcome. I do not feel her mind nearby, though that could mean nothing more than she's learned to shield it better than I have. It's been so long since I've seen another healer, one that I can trust anyway. This woman is powerful and more than dangerous and I wish I could never see her again."
"Who is she?"
"Her name is M..." Her throat tightened. She coughed. "She's not allowing me to reveal her name. She could be only a few paces away, so be on guard. She lives on the coast up in Turbia now, though she's not from there. We grew up together, trained together, and she's the one who dragged me down the path to the Dark One."
Dylin's cheek contracted in confusion. "How could she keep you from saying her name?"
"She is a mind mage, more powerful than I am. Even now I must block my mind to her so she can't easily sense our conversation. She must have put a charm in my brain so I couldn't talk much about her, just a foolish trick to remind me she's still around. Help me to my feet, dear, and let's be on our way. My time is short."
"Short?" Gizelle was as light as weathered wood and Dylin had no difficulty in pulling her to her feet. "Are you going somewhere? I had hoped you would train me!"
The old woman leaned on Dylin's arm and clenched with an iron wood grip. "That is my dearest desire, to train you." They stepped gingerly along the path. "This enemy likes to show off by killing people in creative ways. Today was but her first attempt. It was more to laugh at me than anything. If she had really wanted to succeed, you wouldn't have been able to bring me back. She is not going to let me live since I've turned away from her and the Dark One, and likely I just know too much about her. I just don't know how long I have. Will you help me home? Though I doubt I still have one. I'm sure she burned it down."
"What kind of monster burns down a house of a sweet old lady? I smelled smoke on my way here. It didn't smell too natural, like a fireplace, but like things that ought not be burned."
"She's as old as I am, though she keeps herself looking young. I may not be sweet, but she is a monster, and I don't care now if she feels me say that. I wouldn't doubt that she had a hand in your Amara's death. Amara knew too much about her, too." Gizelle shook her head sadly. "Perhaps we can start your training by my guiding you in properly healing me."
The sun lowered. Dylin's mind fluttered with the thought that her dear Amara had been killed, not only by Mother, but by some unknown enemy. The thought of facing this monster shook her joints and for a few steps and she used Gizelle as support.
"Keep on your guard," the old woman said.
"What do you mean? Did you feel our enemy?"
"I feel almost nothing. Usually I can read minds, and I feel nothing from you. She is close enough to block my mind."
Dylin stopped. "You can read minds?"
"Oh, dear," Gizelle squeezed her arm, then continued, "don't think I pry into thoughts. I've learned to block it so it is nothing more than a whisper on the wind, but I am hardly a sweet and innocent old woman. I can always sense how people feel, and I can't help but know about your troubles. But I feel nothing from you now, not like I did last night when I healed your arms. Likely, she is watching us, and I'm too weak and sore right now to break through her block." She sighed. "I want to teach you everything I know, yet I fear our time is short."
"Don't say that! I need you!"
"I know, dear."
They walked in silence for a time, as dusk filled the forest.
"I hope I can tell you all I know, but my enemy is close. We will not make it to my house." Gizelle stopped, then indicated a broad, flattish stone to sit on. Soft green moss covered much of the shadowy side. "You can feel my waterways. Can you heal me?"
Dylin spoke slowly. "I... don't know. Amara told me the theory, and we practiced with me exploring her insides, but she was never injured, certainly not like you are, so I don't really know what to do. I came with her to visit sick people, but I only really watched. I once tried to heal my horse, but she was too big and I didn't know what I was doing, so I ended up having to just take her life. I ran her too hard once, when I was trying to run away. It was awful. But at least I have an idea about the proper flow of energy."
"Transfuse your wari into mine..." Her jaw tightened, and her eyes widened. She appeared like a deer at the wrong end of a drawn arrow, and as still as a statue. Her fingers on Dylin's arm clenched to the point where a bruise would surely appear soon enough.
"Gizelle, what's the matter?" Dylin's heart raced.
A laugh resounded through the trees. It seemed to come from the dim sky itself as fiery leaves trembled and glided to the ground. A willowy woman stepped out of the shadows, her chin elevated, a haughty smile touching her lips. She could have been Amara's daughter in appearance, with the silky black ringlets, pale skin, and the almond- shaped violet eyes, though her skin lacked the bluish tint.
"My dear Gizelle!"the woman said. The voice stabbed Dylin's heart, and she resisted the urge to bow. "You have made me your enemy, and a dangerous enemy I am indeed." She paced in front of them, then her piercing eyes settled on Dylin. "And you, foolish girl, yes I had a hand in doing away with your beloved trainer. Do you really think your mother would have cared about sending her with you, if I hadn't had other ideas for my dear cousin? Neither of you will speak another word as long as you live, which incidentally won't be much longer."
Child! said Gizelle's voice in Dylin's mind. Even her eyes remained rigidly stiff. Dylin's breath raced. Now! Place your hand in mine!
Dylin held the fingers that clutched her arm. She felt a flooding of wari into her mind, the soul behind it distinctly Gizelle's.
The enemy scowled, she must have felt this connection, yet it remained firm. "You have learned to talk behind my back, it seems," she said.
I will not survive this, said Gizelle.
Nothing of Gizelle moved; with no breath or heartbeat, her fear would surely come true.
Quickly, Dylin. She has turned the blood in my body into ice. She has great power, one of the most powerful mages in a millennium, but I think between us we can get you away.
Dylin quaked as she felt the energy drain out of the old woman. Her own wari flooded into the woman to replace what was being lost. It was akin to what happened to her when she was with Tutang, but without the distasteful feeling of acid. Her fingers chilled as her blood thickened. What should we do? was her reply.
This connection does not require us to hold hands to maintain, said Gizelle. Let go of me and run! Run as fast as you can to the north off the path. Then make a circle and come back quietly. We can trap her from behind. As soon as I say, place the flat of your hand in the middle of her spine. I will direct you in taking her wari, at least enough to free me. Then I shall do the rest.
Dylin started running before Gizelle finished her instructions. It was a relief to run from that monster who could control Gizelle's body, Gizelle, who Dylin could tell was a powerful healer. Dylin's expression of terror that hopefully made her flight seem real came naturally. She headed north off the path and heard the enemy's arrogant voice behind her.
"So, Gizelle, that smiting little apprentice has abandoned you in your time of need. It doesn't matter, she's nothing more than a fly. I could swat you down also in a snap, but I think I will enjoy watching you suffer again. Then when you beg me for death, when you cry to the wind because the Creators do not care, then I shall keep you just as you are and let the wolves have their way with you and the crows will feast upon your eyes. You will die alone."
Dylin circled as Gizelle had instructed. Deep indigo crept over the sky now, so she found stepping through the underbrush to be more difficult than she expected. Scary as the enemy appeared to be, she likely could break through Gizelle's connection to Dylin, maybe eavesdrop. Dylin stopped cold: Maybe the woman could sense her where she crouched five paces behind.
Blue flames danced above the enemy's fingers, casting sharp shadows over Gizelle's frozen, twisted face. "Tavaris and I will rule a world of peace. Hallel will fail, never knowing who he could have been if he had been our match. He will wallow in ignorant opulence, and he will bow and serve us! Why would you betray us and serve him? Why? Why would you choose torture?"
You fool, Gizelle managed. Her limbs trembled as the enemy drained wari from her body. Do you think you are his only pet? Do you really think such as he would want a partner?
"Ha! You claim to understand our relationship?" said the enemy. "He knows I will free him. In me alone has he placed such trust in the whole world."
As Gizelle siphoned a little string of wari from Dylin, Dylin felt a shadow of the old woman's weakness and pain. She gave of her energy gladly, though her own limbs trembled as she crept closer to the enemy. Information returned over the string, how to invert her own wari to capture the enemy's, like a water wheel redirecting water down an irrigation channel.
Dylin stood within arm's reach of the enemy, and as she held out her hand, the woman turned and grabbed Dylin's elbow. A strange redness shadowed the enemy's eyes, and the blue flames from her fingers cut livid lines over her beautiful face.
"You impudent little whore! Did you think I wouldn't sense you? Do you really think you could have even touched my wari? What did you think you could do to me? You have no power over me!"
Dylin managed only a gasp of pain and her heartbeat raced in her ears. The wari string to an unconscious Gizelle faded, yet pulsed with a cold light.
"How dare you try to defile me with your presence?" She clutched Dylin's neck and lifted her. Dylin's chest froze, her flesh chilled, stiffened. Breath was impossible. The enemy dropped her and she crashed to the ground, stiff as a statue.
"Now little whore, watch, see and learn the meaning of fear."
The enemy reached down to Gizelle's chest and lifted her to the tree; with a sharp tug, she tore her chest. Dylin felt the tug, as though her own chest had been attached to Gizelle's diaphragm. Cold flooded her. With the hand that held the blue flames, the enemy held Gizelle's heart, scarlet, pulsing, and glistening in the indigo dusk. The enemy closed her eyes, her face relaxed in ecstasy.
Gizelle slumped to the leafy dirt.
Minara held her old friend's heart, and with it, the center of her wari. Amazing how little blood flowed from a chest wound such as this: With no heart to pump the blood, the blood merely oozed. And with the wari-cauterizing of the flesh, little of it trickled out.
She touched the scarlet heart to the blue flames, an extension of her own energy, and when the flesh consumed, she absorbed the old woman's wari. She could almost see the energy billow and twist like a whirlwind, attracted to the flame. Her own heart quickened as the crone's potential extended the length of Minara's life, though Gizelle had lived so many years, absorbing her energy was hardly worthwhile.
"You have no power in this world now, Gizelle," she whispered. She stifled any feelings of regret that may have peeped into her mind. "You and Amara were my best friends, yet you betrayed me. Tavaris's way is better. Why can't you see it?"
Image courtesy of:
Pintrest
Don't miss any of the chapters!
Prologue: River Flowing
Chapter 1.1: Blindness
Chapter 1.2: Eyes Opened
Chapter 1.3: Hallel's Star
Chapter2.1: Hope
Chapter 2.2: Relevance of Freedom
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