Chapter 23
Daya’s Homestead, Hannelore Mountain, Realm of Eldridge
The sharp, metallic ring of a rock being polished filled the gaps in sound as the fire crackled and popped. On the ground close to the hearth, Veda was focused intensely on her task.
Neka lay sprawled next to her, body curled around hers protectively as if she was the owlcat’s own owlet. Instead of sleeping, Neka was focused on Veda’s activity, nearly as intently as Veda was. She occasionally batted a paw or nosed the stone as Veda worked with it, making the girl smile.
Working with the stones had become Veda’s favorite evening activity.
Usually, she worked with the gold veined lenthomar rocks.
The area was littered with them due to the number of velentha trees that grew within the mountain range.
This was something different. An occasional glint of color shimmered in Veda’s hands, different each time.
Giving in to her curiosity, Daya peered as close as she could without disturbing the girl.
Shock flitted through her. It appeared to be the coarse, rainbow-hued mineral that was embedded into her guardian armor.
The same stone that made up the meditation chambers deep within the guardian sanctum.
It only existed near the heart of the mountain.
Rare pieces could occasionally be found in the sacred valley, but Daya had only found a handful over her many years caring for the land.
“Veda, where did you find that rock?” she asked.
“In the valley.” Veda looked up at her worriedly. “Was it not okay to bring it back?”
“It’s okay. It’s just that those are very rare. It’s very special to find one.”
Truthfully, it made her wonder if she had found it by chance at all. Perhaps the mountain had set it in her path as she wandered the valley, getting to know her new domain.
“Oh.” Veda looked at the stone thoughtfully before continuing her work. “I was looking for a special rock near the velentha trees in the valley, and then suddenly I spotted this. It’s so different and beautiful.”
“It is,” Daya agreed. “You seem intent on finishing this one rather quickly.”
Small hands paused for a long moment, fiddling with the rock. A nudge from Neka made Veda finally look up at her. “We’re leaving in the morning for the fortress. I wanted to bring it with us.”
“Oh? Why is that?”
Veda chewed at her lip. “The team might be there this time, to pick up the soldiers, right?”
“It’s very possible. Why?”
The timing was right. Though she’d felt no indication of visitors on the mountain, the fortress was at the outermost edge.
It was possible she wouldn’t feel them until they were very close, depending on where they were coming from.
She would be glad to be rid of the responsibility of keeping the two prisoners alive while they waited to be picked up and taken back for interrogation.
“Do you think they could take something back to Calderre?” Veda asked.
A sharp twist pained her heart, shorting her breath for an instant as understanding dawned. “The rock is for Connor?”
Veda touched the necklace she wore and nodded. Daya had assumed it was from her parents before they died. She never removed it, clutching it close whenever she was upset or nervous.
“That’s why you wanted the leather? To make it into a necklace for him?”
“Since I kept his, I thought I could make him one.”
Her simple statement stole Daya’s breath for a moment.
Of course Connor had given his soul-daughter something of his to keep with her.
The heartbroken part of her was upset that she couldn’t say the same.
Didn’t have something of his to hold to her chest when she thought of him.
When she woke up from dreams that were too real, just to find him gone from her life.
Time would dull the memories, but for now, the pain was too fresh.
“Do you think they’d take it back to him?” Veda asked when she remained silent. “I know you don’t want me seen by anyone, but you could give it to them, couldn’t you?”
Could she? Yes. Did she want to trust these strangers with their connection to Connor? No. Veda watched her with a pleading gaze, hope and longing radiating from her as she clutched the new stone in her palm.
The refusal wouldn’t leave Daya’s lips. “If they seem trustworthy, then I’ll consider it, but I can’t promise anything.”
Veda nodded, turning away from her to bury her head in Neka’s feathery coat. She put an arm over the owlcat and hugged her tight. Neka leaned in as well, hugging her back as she began to rumble softly with a heavy purr.
After a while, Veda turned her head to look back at Daya, a few stray tears still shimmering on her cheeks.
“I just miss him,” Veda said softly. “I wanted him to have a piece of us. To remember us by.”
The ball of growing grief in Daya’s chest urged her to change the subject before she lost control of her own emotions, but the sadness emanating from Veda was just too much for her to ignore.
“I guarantee you he’ll be remembering us, Veda. But if you’re going to give it to him, we should infuse it with magic.”
“Infuse it?”
Daya nodded and motioned for her to hand over the rock.
Getting up, Veda came over and put the rock gently in her open hand.
Closing her palm around it, Daya pulsed a bit of magic into the stone.
It connected, absorbing the power. Living things like plants and trees were good for sourcing and sharing power.
But rocks could hold power. Especially minerals from deep within the earth, like the sacred one in her palm.
She handed it back to Veda without explanation.
Frowning, Veda examined the stone. Her brown eyes turned curious. “How’d you do that? It feels like you now.”
“That’s because I put a little magic in it. You can too. It’s of the earth, so it’s a good match for our magic.”
“Will Connor be able to feel it?”
“I don’t know,” Daya said honestly. “He’s not an earth mage like we are, so he won’t feel it in the same way. But I do think he’ll feel us strongly when he holds it. You feel him when you hold yours, and there’s only love there, no magic.”
Veda touched the rock that hung around her neck. “Teach me?”
“Go grab a few more rocks. We’ll practice first before you try it on Connor’s.”
“Okay.” Smiling, Veda dashed from the room to retrieve another rock from her collection.
Daya swallowed as she stared into the flames and wondered about Veda’s question. Would Connor feel her too when he held the stone? Be reminded of his time with her by the vibrant sparkles coloring the rock?
Neka pushed her head into her hand. She obliged by petting the owlcat, taking comfort in the familiar affection.
“You can infuse it too, if you want,” she offered quietly.
A happy rumble sounded from deep in Neka’s chest, reminding Daya that the owlcat had been a bit melancholy of late.
Daya shook her head, knowing already that she would likely be asking the Lightning Team to take the package back to Calderre whether she was convinced they were completely trustworthy or not.
The risk of getting the stone back to Connor was worth it.
She wanted him to have a piece of them as much as Veda did.
Rosewood Keep, Realm of Calderre
Deep snow made crossing the border into Calderre quite the ordeal. In all the times Connor had returned home, often through this same route, he had never been happier to endure the blistering cold or see the endless blanket of sparkling white that covered the land.
His heart sang in gratitude for the safety it represented for the children.
Yet a chasm existed in his soul. The word home didn’t quite ring true anymore.
A huge part of him remained leagues away at the mountain—two distinct pieces of him.
The ache he’d felt since leaving persisted even with the overwhelming relief running through their group at making it into Calderre.
Opal’s excited chatter to Rogue drew a smile from him despite the chaos of mixed feelings warring inside him. He wrapped an arm around the delighted little girl where she was bundled in front of him in the saddle.
“You’re in charge of Rogue if I have to jump down, alright?” he told her.
“Kay.” Opal tipped her head back to look at him, a bit of nervousness rising. “We’re stopping?”
“Yes. Do you see the man walking toward us who looks like he forgot to brush his hair this morning?” He pointed to the dark-haired man and woman walking out of the forest a ways away as she giggled. “That’s Sam. We’re staying at his house tonight.”
“Does he have magic too?”
“Yes, he does. And the lady with him is Alayna. She’s very special because she was very little, like you, when she came here.”
“Really? So, I’m not strange? Because Celina said—”
“Not strange,” he said adamantly, upset that she had overheard his sister analyzing the children and making plans for mentors for them. “Celina said you were unusual because you’re so young. But I think you’re one lucky little girl. Do you know why?”
Opal shook her head.
“Since you got your magic so early, you were able to talk to Midnight and the other horses while you were at the fortress. And you were with Veda, for me to find you and bring you home. Just think, by the time you’re Brenna and Gavin’s age, you’ll be way ahead of everyone else who’s just learning things you already know. ”
“I like that idea.” She leaned back against him. “But… you’re getting your family back. Do I have to go to another orphanage? Like before?”
“No. You’re my family now, too, little mite.”
“I get to stay with you?”
“Yes. We’re going to stick together. So just ignore Aunt Celina when she says things like that and come talk to me about the things you overhear when you’re supposed to be in bed. Okay?”
“Kay,” she agreed with a smile. “I’m glad you found me.”
“Me too.” He just wished it didn’t feel like half of their family was missing.