Chapter 3:
"She refused to help us." Sebille's tone was deadly.
We'd come across a lizard woman standing on a cliff overlooking the area. We could hear the sound of several people coming from behind her, so it was clear there was a camp past her.
Sebille and the Red Prince had gone to speak with her and had just returned.
He rolled his eyes. "Distasteful. She said she would not aid us unless we could prove to be trustworthy. As if we do not require the same. Really."
It made sense, though.
Noticing that everyone was focused on those two, I slipped away, finding myself standing at the bottom of the cliff.
"Excuse me." I called out softly.
She came to the edge, looking down at me. "Yes?"
"I was wondering... What would it take for us to be able to come up?"
She regarded me with interest. "Your companions didn't bother to ask. They simply left." A momentary pause. "We are missing one of our own at the moment. We also have wounded. If you had a healer, then perhaps we could make an arrangement."
"I'm a healer, actually." I gestured toward her. "If you wouldn't mind, I would be more than happy to assist."
Her eyes narrowed at my eagerness but still, she lowered a vine rope. "Only you. For now."
"I slipped away from the others, so that won't be an issue."
It took me a few false starts, but I eventually got to the top of the cliff, with her help.
She took me to the space where the wounded were, and I smiled softly at the man I went to first. Murmuring a quiet prayer, I healed him, stopping the bleeding and knitting the skin back together at his shoulder. It looked to be an arrow wound.
Another man, this one with a gash across his chest. I did the same for him, watching as his breathing evened out.
The third, and final, one had a curse on him, preventing me from fully healing him. Frustration filled me- I knew that if I wasn't wearing this collar, I'd be able to help fully.
"I'm sorry." I shook my head, as I looked to the woman. "If I weren't wearing this collar, I would be able to get rid of the curse."
She motioned for me to walk with her, and I did. We approached a dwarf woman, who hopped to her feet and came over to me, tinkering with the collar. I knew the instant it was deactivated, because Source filled me, taking my breath away.
Without wasting another second, I rushed back to the man, Blessing him- something that Ariel had taught me to do after it became apparent that I was a Sourcerer.
The curse lifted from him, and I was able to finish the healing.
Letting out an exhausted sigh, I smiled wide. "There. I hope you feel better now." Addressing all three of them.
They thanked me, and I got to my feet, only to sway a bit and stagger a couple of steps. An arm went around my waist, and I looked back at Ifan. I hadn't noticed the woman leaving, but she must have- because the others were all up here with me, now.
"Oh. I'm glad you're all here." I motioned to the men I'd helped, letting the Wolf support my weight. "They needed a healer, so I offered my services."
He opened his mouth, but Fane cut him off.
"Invaluable, really. We're lucky you're with us, it seems."
I blushed. "I'm sure you would have gotten here, eventually. Oh!" I touched my neck. "There's a woman here who can remove the collars!"
The lizard woman came back, leading all of us to the dwarf, who flitted about, deactivating theirs. Thanks were given, and I looked off to the side, seeing a pool of water with a large carving of a face crying rivers into it. A woman with a hood pulled up over her head stood beside it.
Extricating myself from Ifan's hold, I went over to it, feeling pulled.
"This is a shrine to Amadia." The woman said softly, not looking at me.
"It's beautiful."
"It's not as it used to be, so long ago." A sad, almost choking sound left her. "She has abandoned me."
I frowned, reaching out and touching her arm. "What makes you say that?"
"She refuses to answer my prayers." She moaned, repeating. "She has abandoned me."
"Perhaps... It's the way you pray? Or the words you use?" I mused. "Even... It could possibly be that you are in your own way. That you don't believe you're worthy of her responding to you."
She turned, regarding me with empty eye sockets. A skeleton, much the same as Fane. I offered a smile.
"You... may be right." I could tell it pained her to think about it, let alone admit it.
"It'll be okay." I assured her. "When you're ready, she'll answer you. She's probably waiting for it."
"Thank you." It came out so soft, it was almost a whisper.
Giving her a nod, I moved to stand in the water, skimming my fingers over the top of it. Watching the little waves my presence created.
Closing my eyes, still idly playing with the water, I said a silent prayer.
Amadia. Are you okay?
A rumbling echoed deep in my mind, growing louder as it came closer to the front of my focus. Before it could overwhelm me, it changed, becoming a comforting voice.
Am I...? You are kind, child. A long, stuttering breath. I am in pain. The death of my children hurts me. They are dying, and I cannot help them.
I blindly walked forward, until my hand met stone. I'm sorry, Amadia. I will help where I can, to prevent death. I hope to help whoever needs my aid. I hope that knowledge soothes, even just a tiny bit.
You are so very kind, child. I thank you. Here. Be blessed by me.
The feeling of a mother's love washed over me, and I felt her start to withdraw from my mind.
Wait! If I may... The woman here, the skeleton, she is upset because you don't answer her prayers. If there is something from you that I can say to her, please. Let me know.
There was a moment of silence, where I imagined a beautiful woman sitting, pondering my words.
I wait for her. She does not think herself worthy of my love. I wait for her.
Thank you.
With that, she was gone.
Slowly, I opened my eyes. Only to find the water glowing blue with a Blessing from the god.
"How did you... What did you do?" The skeletal woman asked, shocked.
I looked down, the water parting as my fingers broke the surface again. "I prayed." A soft smile for her. "She told me she's waiting for you to stop thinking yourself unworthy."
She sprinted into the water, wrapping her arms around me tightly. "Thank you."
In my ear, she whispered that her soul was in an urn underground somewhere. She begged me to bring it to her, should I find it. Her name was Gratiana. I promised her that, should I find it, I would make my way back to her and deliver it. She squeezed me tighter and thanked me again.
Pulling back, she let out a breath I felt she'd been holding for a long time and went back to her post.
"What was that about?" Lohse asked when I'd gone back to them.
I smiled brightly. "I prayed, that's all. And I made Gratiana a promise."
Confused looks, intrigued looks. I got them all. Even indifference, from the Red Prince.
We were crouched behind a crumbling wall, Sebille and Ifan keenly surveying the area beyond. A group of magisters were going after someone- Gareth? The one that was missing from the camp- and it was a mess. Fire everywhere. And Lohse didn't know any water spells. Fane said he didn't, either. If the fire continued, it would extinguish all the lives in there- regardless of which side who was on. And no one wanted to go in, while it was raging.
Clasping my hands together, I sent up a quick prayer, asking for water to somehow douse the flames. Moments later, a dark cloud formed above the whole ruins, a torrential downpour starting. After the fire was put out, it shifted to a light rain- just enough to keep any other fire from starting.
With that done, the others rushed in, taking the magisters by surprise. The clash only lasted a few minutes.
Gareth looked over us, cautious, sword and shield still held at the ready. It was clear, from how he was holding himself, that not all of the blood on him was magister blood.
I approached him with my hands raised in an effort to look as nonthreatening as I could manage. He didn't lower his weapon, but he didn't stop me from getting to him.
"I'm going to heal you, alright?" I didn't reach out just yet.
Still distrustful, he nodded, his jaw clenched.
Offering a reassuring smile, I laid my hands on his chest, letting the magic flow through me. I couldn't see the injuries, but I could feel them knitting shut.
"There." My smile was tired, now.
I'd healed far more serious injuries than I was used to today. I was feeling the exhaustion. My vision went out of focus, and Gareth grabbed my arm, holding me upright as I stumbled back a step.
"Sorry." With a weak smile, I turned and made my way back to the others.
Ifan met me halfway, an arm going around my waist. "You look exhausted." Worry clear in his voice.
"Aye, lass, you look like shite." Beast said, making me chuckle.
"Thanks."
They talked to Gareth for a time, while I tried to stay on my feet, leaning heavily on the Wolf. Finally, it was decided we would return to the camp with them and that we would stay the night there. The sun had already set, by the time the talking was done.
Once we were back and given a space for us to sleep, Ifan laid out my bedroll and guided me to lay down.
"Thank you." It left me on a quiet breath as I fell asleep before my head had even hit the built-in pillow.
A statue stood tall on the land raised to our left. I tilted my head, that whispering coming back. My gaze flitted about as I stopped short. It was... different from when the voidwoken had attacked, but still. No one else seemed to hear it, and that was worrying, to me.
"You alright, lass?" Beast asked, looking back at me when he realized I wasn't walking with them.
"I..." My eyes went back to the statue. "I want to go up there." I pointed.
Confusion met my words, and I stepped around them, quickly approaching it. Louder and louder, until the voices were screaming in my head. I couldn't make out any words, but I could tell they were saying something. Reaching out, I touched the surface and, the moment my skin came into contact with it, I was no longer on the raised piece of land.
I was in a blue-tinted space with octagonal patterns on the floor, raised plinths of octagons scattered here and there, creating a guide for where I could walk. Slowly making my way down the defined path, I came upon a man that radiated light.
"My little light." He greeted me with open arms. "I am Rhalic, but surely, you remember me."
My eyes widened, my mouth parting in surprise. After a moment, my instincts kicked in, and I bowed to him, keeping my head lowered.
"Rise, my daughter."
I slowly did as he said, my eyes meeting his. My whole world was swallowed by them, the swirling colors all I could see. A vision appeared in their depths- me, making potions. Me, learning I could heal people. Me, helping people wherever, whenever I could. Me, giving everything I have to help others. Me, exhausted and drained, all for the sake of others. The countless nights I cried myself to sleep after my mother died. After my father died. After the old couple had died.
Every decision I'd ever made played out before my eyes.
A hand cupping my cheek brought me back to the present, and I found him staring at me with triumph in his gaze.
"You have the courage to stand up for what's right. To help those in need. That's what I'm looking for. That's why I chose you. I want you to aid the people of Rivellon in my name." I wanted to flinch away from the look on his face- possession. "The Seven didn't abandon Rivellon. We are trapped here, powerless and squabbling. You- a healing woman of humanity- you will be my champion in the world. You are my Godwoken."
My eyes widened. Godwoken? I'd read about it, when learning about Lucian the Divine, but I hadn't ever expected this.
"I will grant you my blessing, little light. It will aid you on the path out of this place. And then... we will have words again."
His hand warmed, and the feeling spread throughout my body.
"I have strengthened your ability to Bless. With this, you will be able to do even more to aid people." He pulled his hand away. "More and greater powers await you, if you only seek them. Only one like you can wield them. Now go, Godwoken. Go with my blessing. Let it remind you always of who you are: my little light. And remember- your survival matters above all else. You can only help others, if you are around to help them." A pause. "You... are traveling with company, yes?"
I tilted my head. "Yes, that's right."
"Be aware that they are not your friends." I froze. "They are your rivals. They are Godwoken, too. But you are the one who will be a god, none other. Take the wolf that follows you so dutifully." Ifan? "Watch him. The wildest animals often turn and bite the hand that feeds them..." He trailed off, tone suggestive. "Oh, and Lohse? Leave her behind. She isn't worth your time."
"Data venia- With due respect..." I straightened, standing tall. "I refuse to leave anyone behind, regardless of what they have done- to me or anyone else. I will help who I can, not because it pleases you or even myself, but because it's what I believe in. And if you believe that, then I'm sorry, but you should take back your blessing from me."
There was a stretch of silence, where we stared each other down.
He burst out laughing, startling me. "So fierce, my little light. Another reason I chose you. Go, with my blessing."
I smiled softly as I turned and approached a cloud of blue smoke, the path leading me toward it.
Stepping into it, I found myself in a field- a meadow full of blooming flowers. In the center, stood a woman with long dark hair, her back to me. Curious, I made my way toward her, stopping a few feet away.
"Eira." She murmured, turning to face me with the kindest expression I'd ever seen.