Chapter 27
Ridgecrest Forest, Border of Eldridge and Zamyra
Thunderclouds growled menacingly as the final storm of winter moved into place over Hannelore’s domain.
They’d been waiting for a big enough storm to come through since the prisoners had been picked up and Veda had decided on a course of action for the fortress. It had taken longer than expected but had finally arrived.
Soon, lightning would snap the sky with flashes of light as it struck through the clouds. The noise and obstructed sky made it the perfect time to do their work at the fortress. They could grow things any time of year, but for the destruction they needed to be able to mask their activity.
Veda was excited as they hiked through the woods surrounding the fortress. They’d had to leave the horses a ways away, tucked into a protected alcove, for safety. Neka and the hawks had come with them to the fortress. An air of expectation wove among them, emanating from the earth itself.
A distant boom of sound had Veda turning to her with an infectious grin. “Do you think the sky hunters are out?”
“They must be.” Daya smiled back. “I haven’t seen a storm this turbulent in years.”
Ever since they’d discussed needing a storm to cover their magic at the fortress, she’d been telling Veda her father’s many stories about the sky hunters.
The girl had only heard two of them before and had been enamored with the glossary of stories in Daya’s memory.
It had been a bonding experience each night as they sat by the fire, allowing her to share her own past with Veda.
The only problem was that it kept Raiden’s presence heavy on her heart.
“Do you think Evie is all right? I bet storms like this are hard for her. They must be home by now, right?”
“They should be, yes. Hopefully they’re safe in their den.”
“That means Connor has the necklace,” Veda said, sounding pleased. “I’m glad we sent it to him.”
“Me too.”
Her heart yearned for him, wishing he was with them for such an important moment. The ache had become a steady companion she’d grown accustomed to… for the most part. She couldn’t linger in sadness now though.
Change was needed, and they were ready to initiate a cleansing and rebirth of Ridgecrest. The sky darkened around them as the deep vibration of the storm heightened. They’d made it to their destination just in time.
“Neka, Ember, scout the site,” she instructed.
She couldn’t feel anyone through the earth, but it would be unfortunate to find a stray traveler taking shelter in one of the structures they were planning to decimate.
Once they’d brought back news that the site was clear, Daya turned to Veda. “Be careful and stay right by me. Magic won’t protect you from falling rock.”
“Got it.”
“Lead the way.”
With a deep breath, Veda walked confidently across the compound. This moment was so much more important than the girl realized. It was a reclaiming but not just of the site. No, it was much more.
Veda met her eyes as they knelt across from each other in the dirt in her spot—the spot the mercenaries chained her when they realized she was sickening being apart from the earth.
Where she’d lain when the mountain had made its initial connection with her.
When she was rescued by the soul-guardian she’d put her trust in and finally reunited with Connor.
“This will seal you to the mountain. Are you sure you’re ready for this?” They’d talked about it seriously before they’d left and again on the journey. But for Veda’s sake, and Connor’s trust, she had to ask once more.
Veda swallowed hard, clutching at her necklace until Daya was certain there would be a mark on her palm. Ereven and Ember were quiet for once, their presence looming in the background of the open connection they all shared.
Slowly, she released her tight grip on the necklace, pressing it against her chest for a moment before she let go. She placed both hands on the ground and looked up at Daya with clear eyes.
“I’m ready.”
Elation drove Daya’s hands into the dirt as she smiled at Veda. She’d been devastated when she’d first learned there was a new guardian coming. Hadn’t understood. She did now. This was a family. A partnership completely unlike the one she’d had with her mentor.
Leading, Daya opened her connection to the mountain fully and let its magic and power pour into her. Melding with her own, it swirled brilliantly inside with the rush of the coming storm. She absorbed it and channeled it back into the earth in a new way.
Remembrance.
Holding an image in her mind, she began to mold and shape the earth beneath their fingers. Asking, melding, influencing. Rain began to fall as she formed a large circular seal between her and Veda.
Daya pressed an image of a hawk into the clay, holding it until it absorbed and took hold as a permanent etching. Six stars in a night sky were added next, surrounding the bird—one for each of the children.
Veda’s magic joined hers, mimicking her requests and movements, adding her own magic to the power of the earth that flowed through them.
A new image appeared on the seal before Daya’s eyes as Veda added her influence—a long sword grasped in the hawk’s talons.
Through their bond, she felt Veda’s intention, saw that the sword shimmered as if made of the same glittering mineral that laced the armor Daya wore.
A few tears escaped as the image seared Daya’s heart. She sent a feeling of approval to Veda through their mental bond, letting her know it was okay to include Connor with them.
Cleanse and destroy the present darkness.
Shifting her emotions to guide the magic coursing through her, Daya sought the earth beneath the keep. Beneath the dungeon and tunnels. Taking a steadying breath, she stood and walked to the wall of the keep, pressing her hands to the stone. She asked for heat, fire enough to melt the iron below.
They wanted to destroy the dungeon, not the rest of the keep where mages had lived long ago. Heat rose, blistering in its intensity as it swept from deep within the earth. She opened paths through the ground deep inside, directing it where she wanted.
It’s not enough, Veda said.
Neka gave a haunted roar. Glancing back, she saw the owlcat was pressed against Veda’s side, the pair of them watching her intently.
I know. Daya met the girl’s troubled gaze. I don’t think I can destroy it without destroying the whole keep.
Bring it down, Veda decided.
Neka chuffed her own affirmation.
Daya hadn’t wanted to do that, but she’d promised Veda the choice. She reached out to Hannelore. Help us take it down.
Power rose instantly, the earth quaking beneath her feet.
Moving swiftly, Daya backed up to give the mountain room to work. She ushered Veda and Neka to a safer spot to stand and squeezed Veda’s shoulder.
They watched as the center began to cave inward, the earth roiling and churning as it tried to destroy the building.
Water rained down on them, turning the ground to mud beneath their feet under the constant onslaught. With the keep crashing down chunk by chunk, the earth roiled beneath their feet. The mud turning the ground slippery as all tried to keep their balance.
A tendril of unease wound through Daya. This was getting too dangerous for the others.
Turning, she grabbed Veda’s small form and lifted her up onto Neka’s back, situating her just behind the owlcat’s wings. “Lie forward and hold on to the fur at her neck if she needs to run or fly.”
Thankfully, the girl was small enough that it was still possible in an emergency. Neka unfurled her wings in preparation to fly, understanding her responsibility perfectly.
Stones began to crack and crash as one wall started to tumble. Lightning lit the night, striking twice at the highest points of the keep.
“Neka, go!” she shouted to be heard above the storm and the crumbling earth.
She heard Veda’s protest as the owlcat took off, running to the far end of the compound and leaping the fallen wall. Her wings beat as she soared over it, taking Veda out of the dangerous area.
Daya! Veda cried sharply.
Let me handle this part, Veda. Then you can rejoin me.
Easy nestling, it is for her to do, Ereven counseled. We share in the work that must be done.
With the threat of physical harm to Veda gone, Daya could work without restraint. Reconnecting with the mountain, she sent out her magic, targeting the foundational stones. She shoved and pushed with her magic, pulling the old stones down one by one.
All or nothing.
Daya stumbled and fell as waves of energy ran through the earth beneath her feet. Imaging a tunnel through the earth, she directed the energy away from the town. They’d still feel the repercussions, as if an earthquake were occurring, but it wouldn’t bury them.
Rising, she moved toward the center of the fortress, out of the path of disintegrating stone. The remaining walls of the keep crumbled and fell, disappearing into the earth’s churning ground.
Looking at the perimeter, she suddenly knew what she wanted to do. A new plan formed in her mind.
Guard. She pressed the concept into her magic as she began reforming the outer walls. Dirt, stone, and mud reshaped itself, forming into a low, solid wall about her height.
By the time she was done with one half, the quaking had calmed to more reasonable waves of energy. She looked back to see that the earth had been reshaped, a new hill replacing the previous presence of the keep.
Turning to the far side of the fortress, she continued working on the wall.
The magic was warm as it consumed her, flowing out of her with a ferocity she’d never felt.
She left the guardhouse and the stable alone as she focused on overturning the earth at the edges to complete the new circle of protection she’d started building.
You can come back now, she called out to Veda once she finished.