Chapter 7

Eugenia tried to stop there, to quieten the creature that had emerged from inside her but the magic had taken on a life of its own; and all it wanted was blood. She zoomed up into the air until she could see over the cliffs edge to the cove where the ships were anchored.

"N-no p-please… there are slaves in there who are guilt of nothing!" she stammered, pleading with the power to let go. In her head she heard the cold voice reply.

"No stop…Must have Blood!" it cried, like a savage and crazed animal. The magic gripped her body, bending her to its will. Then she snapped and became the raging, unhuman creature she had been only moments before. She twirled around in the air and the magical sphere began to change. Powered by all of her rage and all of her pain, the magic began to spin around Eugenia, gathering speed as it went. She hung in the air surrounded by a giant vortex which lit up the night sky. Eugenia stretched her hands out towards the ships. Using her index finger that deep, magically-fuelled part of her began to write strange runes in the air that shone not the purple of Eugenia's magic but ghostly silver. It was using part of her life-force to exact its revenge. As soon as the runes had faded lightening began to flare out from the tornadoes that surrounded Eugenia. Long tendrils of electricity snapped and hissed, growing longer and longer until they were able to latch on to the ships below. The air was filled with screams as the lighting vines reduced the fleet to matchsticks, exploding the stores of boom dust and tearing people apart. Their bloody job done, the lighting bolts shot back to their mistress. Eugenia cried out in torment as they lashed at her skin. They funnelled through her open mouth and down her throat, seeping back into her veins. The fire burned her mind, nearly driving her mad as she was frozen half way between agony and ecstasy. The vortex began to slip to the ground, dragging her down with it. When it finally collapsed, Eugenia plummeted to the ground and was knocked out by the impact.

Two days later…

After receiving dozens of strange reports about a giant purple tornado from some of his most trusted spies Duke Vedris decided to send his niece and her foster-siblings to investigate. Eric insisted on accompanying them though he refused to say why. Briar half wondered if he knew what was going on. It took two days to reach the isolated village. Briar was glad that Tris had stayed home; he didn't think she would have like the scene that awaited them. Bodies, mostly in pieces, had washed up onto the shore along with the remains of what looked like four large pirate ships. The sailors immediately went to work helping the villages clean up the mess. Briar, Eric, Daja, and Sandry headed up the cliffs to the village. As they walked through the broken gates the first thing they noticed was the distinct lack of damage. Only the first few houses were missing doors or had smashed windows. The rest of the village remained untouched except for the village square, which had a deep crater at its centre and the grass was covered in a layer of ash. Eric wandered down into the crater and knelt in the dirt. He closed his eyes for a moment and the snapped them back open again.

"She's here!" he cried joyfully. Jumping to his feet Eric raced past Briar and into a nearby house. Daja, Sandry and Briar exchanged looks. They followed Eric inside and to a small bedroom at the back of the house. Eric knelt beside a gorgeous young girl with silky brown hair and bright blue eyes. A plump, middle-aged woman stood on the other side of the bed with a cloth in one hand and a bucket in the other. The contents of the bucket blazed in Briar's magical sight. Suddenly the young girl sat up with a jot let over the side of the bed. The women efficiently pulled back the girls hair while managing to hold the bucket to catch the vomit. The girl sat back up again, leaning back against the wooden bed. She looked exhausted. The women wiped her patient's mouth with the cloth as purple slime trickled down her chin.

"Is that the last of it?" The women asked. The young girl nodded. "Now, you're not to bother the lass too much. She's had a rough couple of days." The women left the room and closed the door behind her. Eric stroked the girl's hair lovingly.

"Are you okay Eugenia?" Eric whispered.

"Not really, but it will pass." Eugenia rasped, smiling at her friend. Eric laughed.

"I'd missed your sense of humour. Ah, Eugenia, I would like you to meet Briar, Sandry and Daja." Eric stood up and introduced his companions. Eugenia studied the two women carefully. Sandry was pretty with a button nose and obvious noble heritage. Daja had beautiful black skin and a strong build, obviously a craftswoman of some kind. It was Briar that intrigued Eugenia the most. His features suggested Sotat lineage. He was attractive yet she felt instantly wary of him… like there was a part of him that she recognised as being dangerous. Briar, on the other hand, was in awe. Eugenia's perfect blue eyes seemed to be able to read him instantly. This would be a very hard woman to keep a secret from. Not that he would want to; if she asked he would tell her anything she wanted. Briar felt uncomfortable about this thought and the tingling feeling he was getting in the pit of his stomach. He tried to think of something suave to say but all he came up with was;

"So why are you wrenching up purple slime?" He silently cursed himself for sounding so stupid. Eugenia glanced at Eric, who gave her an encouraging nod.

"It's magical residue. Nasty stuff; I always get it when…" Eugenia sank down into her pillow and turned away from the others, "I'm feeling tired all of a sudden." Everyone but Eric seemed taken back by the blunt dismissal. He kissed Eugenia's forehead. Sandry noticed a spark of magic jump from Eric to Eugenia and soak into her skin. Colour bed to return to her cheeks and her eyelids began to droop. Eric herded everyone out of the room and left Eugenia in peace.