Chapter 7 #2
Between the tree, the sun leaves misty light rays covering the waterfall.
I focus on my signet as the memories flood in.
A tingle flows through my body and I need to release the book to let my hands free.
A little ball of light flies through the air.
I take a deep focused breath and feel my heart pounding.
I breathe out. The light ball that just flew through the air explodes.
All the lights separate and find their place, leaving little sparkles of light on every surface they could find.
My stomach feels funny. Like there is a little tingle moving in there.
It always happens when everything lights up.
Maybe it is a feeling of happiness, or relief.
I wouldn’t compare it to a stomach ache or period pain.
This part of my signet I have under control.
I can light things up. But that isn’t the thing that I came here for.
I need to learn how to control the sun, and besides that, I need to blind someone.
A shiver rolls over my spine. I just need to find a victim first.
But first things first—reading. Maybe after I finish this book I will have gathered the courage to take the sun away and blind someone.
A ball of light dancing next to me is the only light left, making it possible for me to read the pages.
I sit quietly as I look over to the last few pages of my book.
I think I can do it. I will try to take in the sun tomorrow.
Just for a second. My breath pitches in my chest, the task scaring the shit out of me.
This book holds centuries old theories about signets.
Since I am the only sun wielder that we know of to be alive in centuries, no one can really help me with producing this kind of magic.
The books confirm that there has been someone with the signet of the sun a very long time ago.
Sadly enough, she isn’t here anymore to help me develop mine.
I am very lucky that they described her use of magic in very old books, but it is hard to read sometimes.
This book is handwritten in a cursive that isn’t used very often anymore.
The letters are tortuous and elegant, but the ink has faded more than I would like to admit.
I am lucky I love reading, otherwise this would have been a really tough job.
Not only do I like reading, it feels like this book holds magic in it.
Besides the dust falling out of it, it makes you feel something.
And no, it isn’t the mold and dust that is falling onto my knees.
When I was a kid, something in the old magic and historical books attracted me.
I would grab books like they were toys. Da always looked at me weirdly, but as I got older, I tried to explain to him that it felt like a magnet was pulling me towards them, like there was something in there they wanted me to see.
I still haven’t figured out why I have this gift.
I close the book with a slam and jump out of my tree, landing on my feet.
As the night falls and the stars appear I turn back to my home.
“Are you ready?” Da implores, a frown appearing between his brows.
“Always.” I shrug. “Besides, even if I weren’t, I should practice. Did you see those other candidates at the announcement?” A shiver rolls over my spine.
“Yes, Goldie, I did. They seem like they are very strong, and they probably are. But they are not you,” he responds.
He put his hand on my shoulder leading me outside.
The morning sun shines on my face while the worries consume me.
“Did you see that girl with the tattoos and short hair? She appeared to be a shadow wielder, Da. She can turn everything dark,” I imply.
“I know, it is going to be strenuous, but they don’t have what you have,” he breathes out, smiling proudly. I raise my hand and let the tingle wash over me. Power erupts from my palms and a bowl of light flutters above it.
“You mean this?” I fold my lips together and close my hands in a tight fist. “What is this if I can’t do what they expect me to,” I snap.
“I can’t do anything more than turn everything bright.
I am a bright person, Da! I can’t kill someone using my power.
I know they suspect me of having the power to burn the fucking continent, but what if I can’t,” I whimper, my voice breaking.
I sink through my legs on the ground and regret not practicing earlier on taking the sun away.
I am glad Da let me have my childhood, but even when I got older, I was scared of my power, scared of what it could be.
I believe even Da was scared of my signet when I was young, and he was afraid of me losing control so he didn’t let me practice my sun wielding at the beginning.
However, he did teach me to fight and how to build my mental walls at the age of three.
When I was four years old, my walls were as strong as anyone else’s.
“I am so sorry, I just want to be good. I don’t want to hurt them. I will hurt if it is needed, but I am not a murderer and I don’t kill for fun.”
He takes my face between his hands and lifts my chin up.
“I know, Goldie. You are a lover not a fighter. Except what you have in you is magical, powerful most people will say. They see your power as fierce,” he replies, cupping my face.
“I don’t. You are the fierce, Goldie. You can do great things if you start to trust yourself.
You are in control. I don’t suspect you to kill anyone if it isn’t necessary.
” He drags me up to my feet, pulling me into a hug.
“I am sorry, Da. I hope I can come back to you.” I sob out onto his shoulder.
“You will, Goldie. Our plan will work. Besides that, I got something in mind that will help you. You are the most strong and powerful woman I know, beautiful. If everything gets too much, I have something that can help you. Something you can rely on,” he says, smiling softly.
I take a good look at him. His eyes are watery, but they represent something.
I didn’t recognize it at first, but as I peer through my narrowed eyes, I see it.
Hope.
That is something I haven’t seen on him for a while. And if I would trust someone with my life, it is Da.
“What is it?” I breathe out, still holding Da close.
“You will see.” He winks at me. We walk together towards the waterfall. When I finally calm down, we decide that it is time to start practicing.
“Breathe in, breathe out,” Da tells me, breathing with me.
He knows how I struggle with this anxiety, and when my breath pitches, I can get panic attacks.
He helps me prevent them by helping me focus on controlled breath and emotions.
I close my eyes, put my hands on my stomach, and I start to focus on the tingle going through my body.
It starts in my stomach but it slides towards my head, legs, and arms. When it finally reaches my heart, I know it is time to wield.
A growl rises from my chest. I breathe out.
Putting both my hands up in the air. The tingle rises to my hands, and I feel something inside me explode.
I open my eyes for a bit and everything is dark. I look around, widening my eyes and my jaw falls to the ground.
“Da, did I d—” The sun hurries back before I can finish my sentence, explaining I only moved the sun behind a cloud. I hold my breath as the lights return again. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. A feeling of disappointment washes over me, a yawn escaping my mouth. Fuck.
“It is okay, Goldie. No one can do it just at once.” He furrows his brows together, making his thinking wrinkles visible.
He clenches his jaw. “I know, but I just thought maybe I could do it. I read all those books and practiced so hard on the simpler things.” I shrug, trying to shake this uneasy feeling off.
It doesn’t leave me alone.
I try again.
Again.
And again, until my legs give out.
Da lifts me up in his arms. “It is okay, little Goldie. You will get it. You are my superhero. You are the bravest girl I know,” he whispers in my ear. The last thing I see are his worried eyes before I pass out in his arms.
The next few days blur together. Wake up, eat, train, practice my signet, read, eat, sleep, and repeat.
This routine holds for some days until it finally breaks.
That morning, I get another letter. Luckily for the king, this one has my name on it.
It’s addressed to me, not just to “the girl with powers.” Apparently, my little outburst on stage wasn’t for nothing after all.
To: Fintan and Eliane
As I said during the announcement three days ago, all candidates are expected a week before the trials at my palace. Every one of you will live and train at a side building of the palace. You will have the ability and time to get to know each other, which is probably much needed.
I expect all of you to be here tomorrow morning, April the 8th, at 8 a.m. strictly.
I will give another short speech about what you will do this week.
I assume you know where you have to be. You can bring two relatives to say goodbye to.
You won’t see them again until after the trials, or not at all if you aren’t that lucky.
I will see you tomorrow.
P.S. Wear something nice for the next announcement that will represent your signet.
Regards,
The King of Drimyé and leader of Ilanos
Chadd Malik Dunkeld
Fuck, I knew this was coming but it is too soon. My non-existent ability to steer the sun leaves me shaking. That will be a problem. At least I am lucky for one thing. Everyone will have to say goodbye to their relatives tomorrow already.
I don’t.
Fintan works at the palace, so if I’m lucky he can help me with some things.
I stroll upstairs and swing a backpack over my shoulder before throwing it on the bed, stuffing it with things.
One thing that can’t lack is the book that is pulling me towards him, standing in the bookcase across my room.
It is calling me, like I can literally hear it scream my name.
I throw it in my backpack, not knowing what it even is about.
Maybe all the answers to my questions are in there. Why else would I be drawn to it?