Chapter 21: Chapter 21

As I was walking back from the temple, I contemplated Rose’s revelation, and the effects it could have on me and Syl, as well as the rest of the party we were traveling with. She had explained to me that the elves were composed of several different tribes, which, until recent years, had all been constantly at war with each other. Eventually, the fighting got so bad that, fearing extinction, the tribes had all signed a peace treaty, and together they formed the Hyallon, a leading body of all the tribes representing all elves.

Rose went on to explain that the political side of things was a mess at first. Every tribe had a representative, usually the chief of that tribe, who would get to vote on matters. Every chief wanted something different, and no decisions could be made. Eventually, They decided to create a royal family to lead them, with the failsafe that, if over eighty percent of them agreed, they could strip the royal family of their status. Rose’s family was chosen, and in the two hundred years since, not much has changed.

She also asked that I refrain from mentioning this to anyone, as it could put her, and those around her, in grave danger. Elves had been outlawed in these regions, as more of them had kept their magic, and in a country without magic, that made them dangerous. Apparently King Tomasi still had ways to overcome them, but the average peasant didn’t.

The next few weeks settled into a sort of rhythm. We would get up in the morning, eat a meager breakfast, and help the party break camp. Although we were offered tents and blankets, both me and Syl quickly realized that we preferred sleeping on the forest floor. Perhaps we just missed those relaxing first days in this world, but it felt far more natural.

Once camp was packed up, we would climb into the wagon, and set off. It was slow going, just barely faster than walking. The horses made decent time, but the path we were traveling had been all but reclaimed by nature, and we had to constantly cut back bushes or swerve around trees. We even had to unload the wagon once so it could fit under a fallen tree a few meters in the air.

Sometimes, me and Rose would hang back from the main group. Though she didn’t have as much raw energy, Rose was also a magician, and a talented one at that. Any lack of energy she made up for with years of experience, honing her skills to perfection. She offered to give me some pointers, because, in her own words, we were approaching a city, and if they found out we were magic users, “we are both going to need them.”

As a result of this, My magic was growing leaps and bounds. I still struggled with anything more than exceedingly basic spells, but my magical vision was something to behold. When we hung back and followed a few hundred yards behind the wagon, Rose would point out characteristics of different magical signatures. While before, all I could recognize was the shape of an object, now, I was able to discern far more. There were little signatures on everything, indicators telling you all about it. Things like weather or not a plant was edible, what material that object was made of, how much energy that object currently had. There was so much information available, all you had to do was be able to identify it!

A week and a half into our journey, Rose pulled me away from the group. I assumed this was our standard magic practice, but she had a far more serious look on her face as she led me into a small clearing.

“Ashley” she said, as if she was contemplating something momentous, a decision which could affect the future of the planet. “Ashley” She continued, “I have decided to show you something generally reserved for only the most elite of the magic community, something that people usually learn only after years of  training, but before I show you this, you must swear not to abuse it.”

“I… I swear it” I mumbled out, the weight of the moment pressing down on me.

“Good. You will understand why shortly. Now, I want you to focus on this flower. Look for its energy”

I did, and, once she seemed satisfied, Rose continued; “now, that energy you are looking at, reach for it. Feel it. Understand it”

Confused, I eventually arrived at the decision that Rose had not led me astray yet, So I would do as she asked. I tried to extend my consciousness towards it, as I would with magic, and after a few tries, I got it. As soon as my mind made contact with the flower, A link was formed, and understanding rushed between. I understood the flower. It wanted to grow, to spread its leaves, it basked in the streams of sunlight filtering through the canopy above. It slowly extended its roots into the ground, seeking the nutrients provided. A marvel of nature, perfect in every way.

Too soon, Rose’s voice was filtering through the calm tranquility the flower was putting out. “Good,” she said, “now, grab that energy, and yank it out of the flower, drag it back into you, fight for it.”

Doing as she said, I latched onto the energy, and, with a gut-retching crash, I slammed back into my body, yanking the energy back with me. Immediately, I felt the flower die, as if it were a part of me, a limb, perhaps, but external, as if someone had cut off my arm, but I was still connected to it as it died, the life draining out of it. It felt so wrong, so horrible, and as my vision faded to black, the last thing I remembered was the link finally blinking out, as the flower crumbled to dust in my hand.