Knowing she wasn't going crazy had helped calm Astasha down a little bit. Well, maybe she was going crazy and it had just passed to Calder through their connection. But it was some comfort at least to know she wasn't going insane on her own. Errant had insisted on tabling all further discussions until he felt she was stable enough to continue. She had unknowingly attacked her friends and allies twice now, and not only was guilt beginning to gnaw at her soul, but a fear that something was truly wrong with her had settled in her heart. Now that the new Water Witch had arrived (Narelle, as Tasha learned she was called), a healing ritual was immediately performed on both Astasha and Calder. Much to everyone's relief, it seemed to have the desired effect, helping the cuts and bruises to mend, and their internal injuries to heal to a more stable state. But the Fire Sorceress knew there was damage she would bear that no amount of magic or time could fix. Once they had finished, a small
As much as Astasha wanted to believe the Water Witch’s little trick would work, she knew better than to hope. But Cal had been so relieved at the notion that she might not have to face the terror of the Ritual Stone again, she couldn’t bring herself to be the bearer of reality. Instead, she had put her focus on determining the location of the dead forest and stone palace she had seen, but Calder insisted she needed more rest first. Errant had agreed, though he assured her he would personally see to it that every map available in the palace was brought to his study. There had been a tense moment upon their return to the Healing Ward, in which the Prince and Grand Sorcerer had come to a heated disagreement about where exactly Astasha was to rest, Errant insisting she stay there, Calder convinced a proper bed was what she needed. But Tasha was desperate to leave the ward, and upon Sorcerer Terrin’s inspection of her wounds, the Grand Sorcerer had at last seceded. Cal left immediately
Astasha came out of a deep sleep, but she didn’t dare open her eyes. She couldn't remember the last time she had slept that peacefully, and waking up meant facing reality again. It had been too perfect of a fantasy for her to leave it now. An arm was wrapped around her, and she felt a gaze upon her, along with the sensation of deep affection flowing through her very being. Perhaps the fantasy wasn’t over after all. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open to find Calder watching her, a small smile upon his lips. "Hello, my beautiful sorceress." She couldn't help but smile back at him. "Well, hello, my handsome Prince." He brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her gently before going back to watching her. "What?" She asked playfully. He shook his head. "I was just thinking about how this was the first time I've gotten to actually sleep next to you undisturbed, to wake up and see your gorgeous face without anything happening." Astasha blushed. "Don't get too used to it." S
Errant's study was much like a smaller war room, combined with a library, tossed into a witch's workshop. There were shelves lined with scrolls and books, desks with herbs and crystals, and a table in the middle covered with maps and other writings. It wasn't a small room, per se, but with Astasha, Calder, Talib, the King, and the five other sorcerers, it felt a bit cramped. Errant closed the door and turned to the group. "I know the fewer who know all of the details the better, so my hope is that between those of us here, we might be able to put some of the pieces to this puzzle together before the High Council arrives." “Screw the High Council,” said Talib, making Errant’s brow furrow and a few of the sorcerers gasp. “We need to figure out how to kill the fucking thing.” The King put a hand on the Captain’s shoulder. “I know you thirst for blood, but we must first determine its motives and how it might strike again.” “Exactly.” Said Errant. “So where do we begin?” Everyone se
The group had begun to disperse, everyone heading in the direction of their assigned duty. Astasha was to gather everything from her room she had found previously on the matter of the demon, and meet the others in the library. Cal had not returned to her side, remaining with his father in a fervent discussion, and so she slipped out the door and headed down the hall. She hadn’t made it very far, before a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her down a small side corridor. She knew who it was before she saw him. She had heard his rushed footsteps and felt his worried haste through their connection. “Why didn’t you tell me?” There was a look in Cal’s eyes she had never seen before as he stood in front of her, her back to the wall. The feeling pouring through their connection was overwhelming and full of doubt and confusion and pain. “Cal—“ she tried to ease his worries but he wouldn't let her. “Do you not trust me? You seem to have forgotten that I spent an insufferable amount of
Frustration was palpable in the room. Astasha, Calder, Errant, Helia, and Narelle had been scouring the Magical Archives Library for hours in search of anything that might tell them what this evil was or what it wanted with the Fire Witch and Prince, but to no avail. It felt as though they were to find something in a haystack, but whether it was a needle or a hairpin wasn’t clear. Tasha was pouring over the multitude of books and scrolls she had brought from her room for what felt like the hundredth time, and yet was no closer to finding any information that could aid them. She sighed loudly. “Nothing useful?” Calder had come up behind her and was looking over her shoulder. She shook her head. “Nothing I can see. There has to be something. I just don’t know where else to look.” There was silence for a moment. “I’m sorry.” His voice was almost a whisper. She turned in her chair to see his face. “Cal—“ “No, you were right. We need to trust each other, to stay true to each oth
The realization that Astasha could carry the blood of Dark Sorcerers was not an easy one for any of the group to swallow. But it was immediately determined that the only way to know for sure, was a visit to her mother. If anyone had clues as to whether Tasha’s father or grandmother were involved in the dark arts, it would be her. Errant had wanted an entourage of sorts to go with her into the village, including himself, Narelle, Helia, and a full guard of men. But Astasha knew her mother, and a party of sorcerers and soldiers showing up on her doorstep would send her into a frenzy of worry. If she wanted answers, she needed to be able to speak with her alone and in peace. Calder would hear nothing of her going by herself, however, and so it was that he, Astasha, Talib, and one of the Captain’s most trusted men, made their way down to the village. Not wanting to draw attention to themselves, they went on foot. It wouldn’t be unusual for the Prince to be seen in the streets with a me
It was a silent walk back to the castle. Astasha had performed the protective spells around her mother’s house as Calder filled Talib in on what they had discovered, but she was grateful neither pressed her as they made their way through the village. She could feel Cal watching her from the corner of his eye, and the raging mix of emotions emanating from him wore on her already downtrodden soul. He was scared and worried, and she knew he was trying to figure out any way to change the fate she was tied to. But there were no answers, and it frustrated him. Talib had sent his man ahead to inform Errant that they needed to call a meeting of those involved as soon as they returned, and so everyone was waiting in the Grand Sorcerer’s study when they arrived. Still, Astasha said nothing as the Prince filled them all in on what they had learned. She stood in downcast silence as she felt the energy of the room shift from anticipation, to fear and nervousness. They had brought the ri