A/N: Ah, its been chaos the last few days... I apologize for the long wait. The next chapters in work, I promise to update soon.

Chapter Ten: Runes

Jasna found herself once again in the big room where she had been 'presented' to the Death Eaters. The only difference she could see was the number of people present and the little remainder of previous dark activities on the floor. The change in the air affected her most though for she was not used to feel so much negative energy collected together. And the remnants of darkness inside her magic (agents of the Dark Lord who desired her corruption), made her the more susceptible to its lure than before.

Darkness waiting to be released twined itself around legs of the people in the room; a crack in the energy pools below the earth which was responsible for the heightened levels of magic in the room. This dangerous presence made her aware she was not a situation she could manipulate easily. If the Dark Lord was capable of tapping into that slumbering power and making it obey his will, she was a lost cause… But as soon as her eyes alighted on the runes they had drawn on the floor, she thought she had a chance – one small chance to make a difference.

Jasna recognized the old runes immediately and had to wonder what prompted them to use these ambiguous symbols when they had a weapon waiting for their call. Runes could only hinder the awakening of the power waiting for them below the floor of the room – they belonged to the few things that could manipulate the energy pools, manipulate magic. Why then use them?

Jasna shook her head to get rid of cobwebs the rising darkness put over her mind and let her body be dragged deeper into the room. Two men held her by the arms, partly leading her and partly holding her up. The Dark Lord had not been pleased with her performance in her sickroom. Fighting his right hand with apparent ease and then moving her erratic magic against him was not one of her more brilliant moves, she had to admit. The punishment was not that severe though – anything he did paled beside the pain she had experienced the last few days. Well, it did put her priorities straight if nothing else. She knew now that to fight each and every one of his followers was a foolhardy thing to do, especially when she was weak enough to feel dizzy just standing up.

As she stumbled along the two men, she realised with something akin to surprise that she didn't mind being dragged into the room. It was easily explained to appease her sense of honour which would not let her go down without a fight. Let them think I'm weak, Jasna thought, it can only aid me and take them by surprise when I act.

What she did resent was their belief she was unable to do magic without a wand. Nobody spoke the charm that would monitor the build up of magic in her, which was a standard procedure at the Temple in the time of training and later on with any visitors allowed on the grounds. Did they think she wasn't a priestess anymore just because her bond with the temple was severed or that wand-less magic was something only English wizards were capable of? Whatever their opinion, she was glad they were foolish enough to believe her sufficiently weakened after Voldemort's wrath.

At least the Dark Lord seemed to enjoy the general atmosphere in the room, she noted. It was not surprising though – all corrupted immortal souls thrived in such environment. Even now a part of her shivered in horror at what he had done… He could not, must not ever learn of the secrets high priestesses held hidden deep below the cardinal temple, she reminded herself. Not even one word of it…

"Welcome," greeted the Dark Lord with a cruel smile. Jasna did not know if it was meant for her or the persons coming in after her, so she just shot him a glare before concentrating on the runes – she could use them. She must use them to counter what they've planned.

Binding… yes, certainly a binding of magic. But there is something more – yet what?

She tuned out the 'small talk' others engaged in and concentrated on the runes. It was hard when pain deep in her bones tried to distract her, but she simply had to tap into their power, had to unlock their secrets and make them her own. Runes always did respond to her eagerly before, why should it be different now? She firmly ignored the knowledge of how many magic laws she had broken with renouncing her vows and prayed to all gods she was still considered pure enough for the runes to switch loyalties.

Dizziness and general feeling of being weak made the communication with the runes so much harder than she imagined. The little bit of magic that was not tainted by dark spells cast on her was hard to control. Every time she wanted to reach out to a rune, activating it with the spark sent forth, she could feel a tearing sensation deep inside her, but she gritted her teeth and half-blindly pushed out her magic until it settled over a rune – Haegl. Yes it was a challenge defying a dark lord, so this rune was perfect for a start. It responded to her, shyly and almost hesitantly, not like other times when it leapt at her attention, but it did respond and Jasna could have cried from sheer relief.

The rune of challenge was a great ally, but still not one of the strongest of runes she could have picked out. Securing the loyalty of this one was only a start – the real challenge was still before her and time was running out. Voldemort was talking about his victory, about superiority, power and other stupid things he was wont to do as she had learned, but she tuned him out. The longer he talked the more runes she could put under her control before the actual ritual started.

He could believe himself a god if he wished, but Jasna would never worship or fear him. She knew that this speech was just a rattling of a delusional mind and nothing she should concern herself with. The Temple did not condone boasting and these speeches were just feeding his massive ego.

People tire of egoists quickly ad then discontent starts to rise up in them. Discontent leads to hate and hate leads to mutiny…

Even the runes saw that. Whoever drew them was not devoted to the 'cause' - she could feel imperfections in their make up, his sloppy concentration and flickering power… it gave her a headache to erase the mistakes and strengthen them, but thy liked her for that. She was a witch who knew what she wanted. Know yourself – know your magic, was the rule of the Temple. That is why the broken bond shattered her control over magic – for so long it had defined her it was a shock to be left without its comforting presence. But even the pain and her unruly magic were far more stable than the devotion of one of his followers. Jasna got control of his runes in no time at all once she secured Haegl.

It seemed that there were two wizards and one witch who had drawn them on the floor. Daeg pulsed and welcomed her. The rune of light was one of her favourites and she was glad to have its support. It was a powerful ally that could help her persuade the set of runes which were obviously drawn by a true supporter of Voldemort. She could have probably tried her luck with the ones she already got, but the most powerful rune and one that she had most confidence in defying dark magic was created by that mad witch called Bella. Ur was a picky rune and convincing it was what she would call a true challenge.

"And now we prepare for the ritual!" cried Voldemort and Jasna cursed in her mind at the interruption that shattered her concentration. She had barely managed to grasp Ur's attention! The two wizards holding her by the hands dragged her to the pool of ink. She had to bite her cheek to stop herself from pouring out her anger at the sight of her old protections. These protections, these marks were very hard to obtain, one of the highest honours and now a part of them lay on the floor.

It hurt to receive magical tattoos, too… she grumbled before a sharp pain reminded her of the present again. They had unceremoniously released her arms to let her fall onto her knees like she was a sack of potatoes to be thrown around. It was time to humiliate her, to kneel before the Dark Lord.

Forget him! Concentrate, you stupid woman! She bit her lip and raised her eyes to the face of the Dark Lord, showing nothing but determination and defiance in them. Get that rune, tap into old power!

He was saying something to her, but she did not hear him, did not listen to the poisonous words he sprouted to crush her soul - her mind was far away, lost under the strain and pain and fighting for the rune that could save her life, save the Temple.

Jasna's eyes glazed over as she sent her powers over the cold floor to the rune. She showed the rune of strength she was not afraid, that she was strong, stronger than all of these people. Ur could see she followed strict rules that did not allow her to let weaker ones suffer, that she was tricked and thus they did not show true strength, only cunningness.

Ur decided and accepted the fallen priestess, calling to his aid the remaining runes of the circle. They would help the one who followed the old gods, but she had to fight herself too. She had picked the rune of challenge first and the rune of strength last – that meant she would have to show her true face to her adversaries and fight the battle alone. Only so will she gain more power, only so will she redeem herself in the face of the gods she had denied once. This was Jasna's punishment and gift. With tears in her eyes she thanked the runes and turned to face the Death Eaters again.

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