“Like what?”
“Magi’s are only permitted to perform High Magic.” Nela said. “She offered them the freedom to use any magic they choose.”
“So Dark Magic?”
“Yes. And she created the first spectrals too.” Indi added.
I gulped. She was behind them? She created them? “What happened then, how did Uther defeat her?”
“A Magi sealed off her power.” Nela said.
“What?” I screwed my face up not understanding.
“He trapped her, twisted her up within her own power. She ended up stuck between our worlds.”
“How?” I whispered trying to understand it.
“Jelric would explain it better.”
“Jelric isn’t here.” I stated.
Nela shook her head sitting down on the couch opposite me. “I don’t see how she is back. I don’t see how she broke the bounds of her cage.”
“That man wasn’t lying. The spell I wove forced him to tell the truth.”
“Then we better hope you’re as powerful as everyone thinks you are.”
I shut my eyes. “Even if I am, what if there isn’t time for me to learn? It sounds like this has been in the works for years. My magic isn’t even reliable. Isn’t even consistent.”
“But you fought the spectral. You destroyed it.”
“That was one spectral.” I half snapped.
“And it’s a start.” Nela said. “We all start somewhere.”
I screwed my face up. Yeah we did. But if I was starting miles back from where my opponents were, what chance did I stand? What chance did everyone else stand if I was the one meant to save them?
Isent a servant on ahead, had him running to assemble the horses. Assemble the soldiers.
By the time I reached the yard a whole battalion was mounted and waiting for me.
Ridley inclined his head, tossing the reins to my horse at me and I jumped into the saddle giving the order to leave.
Heatherly was a good days ride. And it felt like we needed to be there yesterday.
I snarled at the time wasted. At fact that this was my suggestion hours ago and Uther had dismissed it out of hand. If I’d had my way I’d be halfway there by now.
As soon as we were past the gates we kicked the horses into a gallop. It didn’t matter if they only got us to the castle. The focus was getting Hal. Making sure the boy was safe.
Besides I’d left orders for enough fresh horses to be ready on the road for our return.
“Do we have any idea what we might be up against?” Ridley asked.
“No.” I replied. I hoped it was nothing. I hoped we’d simply ride in, scoop Hal up, and be on our way.
But my gut told me that was nonsense.
* * *