3. Chapter Three
Chapter three
Hands scrabbling for my face, I try to find the source of pain and break free from its grip, but there's nothing to touch or pull away.
Equally as concerning, despite my eyes being open, no matter how many times I blink, I can't see.
Breaths coming in short, sharp bursts, I manage to gasp, "Hello? Is someone there?"
As suddenly as it struck, the hold releases, accompanied by a gravelly sound as light floods back in, revealing the slumping form of the High Sage, Guardian of the Grotto and the closest thing to a deity we have, since the twenty-seven unnamed gods left Atafye centuries ago.
Billowing white robes pool at her feet, giving the distinct impression she could sink into the froth of fabric and disappear, and her ethereal face is partially obscured behind a curtain of silvery hair.
What's she doing in Raviaz? She never leaves the Grotto except once a year to oversee the Offering to reinforce the southern point barrier, which happened this morning.
They're back already, and she came too? The High Sage does not look well, and I have no idea what I'm supposed to do.
The only time I've ever seen her was at my Ritual, and she was decidedly non-corporeal then.
My head spins as I reach out to see if I can somehow steady her against the wall in front of me.
Before I can make contact, her head flies up with another rasping inhale. Quickly, I bow my head in acknowledgement. "Your Grace, are you alright? Can I get you something?" Does she even eat or drink?
Briefly closing her eyes, she blinks a few times and waves me off.
"It was not my intention to startle or injure you, child.
However, it was imperative I speak with you immediately.
" Her ancient, lovely face is etched in a frown. Her long black and silver nails are a stark contrast against the flowing sleeve of her white robes, but it’s her voice that has me on edge: high and sweet, nothing like I remember from that starlit cave where she presides over the Ritual.
"Is there something you need from me?" The question sounds as ludicrous as it feels. I can't imagine what she could possibly need to speak to me about.
"I mustn’t linger here. I am unused to holding a corporeal form for long and must return to your realm's reflection pool to replenish my strength before the royals arrive. There is something you must know first, though, about Aubria. I fear a grave mistake has been made."
Heart lurching out of my chest, I try to remain respectful even through my demand. "Is she ok? Did something happen?"
"I am not certain of her current state anymore.
" Sorrow clouds her eyes as she straightens, sending a cold ripple of unease through me.
"Your sister left the Grotto a week ago.
She told one of my attendants she couldn't risk being there when your travelling party arrived, or things she had to see completed would go awry. I know not what they were."
She left? How? There's no way she would have gone anywhere alone.
It wouldn't be safe. "Do you have any idea where she went, Your Grace?
She hasn't come home to Raviaz." I have to keep using the formal title to convince myself I'm really standing here, having an actual conversation with this ancient being.
"I do not. She spent little time in my presence, other than when she shared her research findings and when she begged me to grant her permission to remain in the Grotto for an extended period.
I noticed a shadow falling over her recently.
However, she would not speak of it, and I was already weighed down by the new burdens plaguing our lands, so I did not push. "
Her eyes bore into mine, searching for something I don't understand.
"Did she tell you why I summoned her early this year?
" As a powerful Remedy, Bri usually goes to the Grotto to study at the end of every Renewal period.
She'd said she couldn't tell me why she'd been asked to go earlier this year, and, selfishly, I'd been too distraught at the thought of her being gone for months to press for answers.
Wait, new burdens? Stars, every word the Sage utters leaves me more and more confused.
I shake my head. "She didn't tell me why, and we haven't had any communication since she left.
" It’s somewhat obvious to point out, since only the royal family has a way to communicate outside the realm.
However, the Sage seems to think I know more than I'm letting on, and I'm not sure how to convince her otherwise.
"My sister's work was often confidential, so we rarely spoke about it. "
Unless it was to do with my ring.
Oh, fuck. My ring.
Panic tears the air from my lungs. I wasn't just going to the Grotto to see my sister and convince her to come home. I need my ring to work. What am I going to do without it? And is Bri ok? I don't understand why she would leave right before I could get to her.
At my answer, the High Sage narrows her eyes. "Do you perhaps know if something was troubling her then? Anything that might lead to her departure?"
"I'm sorry, Your Grace. I can't think of anything that could be of use. Forgive me, but are you certain she left of her own accord?" My voice sounds fearful and foreign, concern for my sister outweighing the blistering worry of not being able to hide my secret.
Her face softens a little. "I am sorry to worry you, child. I am certain Aubria chose to leave, because she left something behind for you."
"There was a note?" Hope flutters in my chest. Of course she didn't leave without saying anything. While being stubborn is a family trait and my sister had a habit of being impulsive, I've never known her to be reckless or cruel.
Wordlessly, the Sage reaches into her robes and pulls out a small cloth bag, handing it to me. I hurry to untie the drawstrings and tug at the sides, anxiety making my fingers slow and clumsy. When I pull the bag open, the items inside leave me more confused than ever.
Bri's blue garnet ring dangles from a silver chain, identical to the ones our older sister Drea and I also wear, although mine is the only one that serves a much bigger purpose.
I'm surprised Bri would leave hers behind; they were gifts from our mother, and we never take them off.
I always worried she would notice when Bri took mine to the Grotto for imbuing.
Vowing to keep hers safe until I see her again, I reach for a white glass dropper bottle.
Twisting the lid off, I inhale deeply, recognizing the familiar fragrance of my signature mandarin, ginger, and jasmine perfume oil Bri's been making me since my twenty-first birthday.
She must've known I was almost out of the last bottle.
Conscious of the High Sage watching my every move, I pull out the final item and frown.
Bri giving me a book is not strange; however, giving me a copy of the exact same novel she gave me for my birthday only last year definitely is.
I flip through it, wondering if there's something tucked inside, only to find it's just a book.
Why did she go to the trouble of leaving these seemingly random things for me? Some kind of apology or goodbye gift?
"There's no note? Nothing to indicate what she might be up to?
" the Sage asks, an edge to her voice that wasn't there before.
I shake my head and hold out the bag, indicating she's welcome to check for herself.
She doesn't take it, and her glance darts around the still-empty corridor before she whispers almost to herself.
"If she did discover something, and someone finds her first… "
I need to know what's going on, and this is my only chance to find out, even if it's not my place to question the most powerful being in Atafye. "Do you think my sister is in trouble?" I ask cautiously.
The Sage calculates for long minutes before saying, "I think it's possible. You are the person she trusted, so I am going to risk sharing what I can. However, it must not go beyond this conversation, understood?"
The promise is an easy one. I need to know. "I understand."
"Very well. A few months ago, several patches of white soil closely resembling that of Envenar were discovered in each realm.
We do not know the cause or if there is a connection or not.
Rest assured, the barrier keeping it sealed remains intact, and the Offering was successfully made earlier this morning.
Once we were able to collect soil samples, I summoned Aubria to assist with the analysis.
Remedy powers that strong coupled with her affinity for research, likely inherited from your great grandmother, made her the logical choice.” The Sage winces apologetically, likely knowing her words are salt in the ever-present wound of my nonexistent magic.
Like almost every other member of a Foundation family, my sister is a powerful Wielder.
A constellation of four black stars is inked on her chest, right where it should be.
I brush off the twinge of envy, hating myself for it when I don't even know if Bri's ok.
"Are you saying you think she found something and didn't tell anyone? "
"Her reports were lacking, and my intuition tells me she uncovered something. I had suspected it, and now, it seems she doesn't want to be found, so my suspicions are heightened."
This can't be possible. If there really is a connection to Envenar and she didn't share the knowledge, that would be treasonous.
Our sole focus as magic wielders is supposed to be keeping the southern point of the island contained and trying to restore the depleted lands outside the capital city of each realm.
"I can't imagine her being involved with something like this, Your Grace.
And where would she even go with that information? "