Page 13 of Compass Points
The gods had decided to meet at the first temple. A sacred place of worship. The temple was atop a great mountain, humanity traveled days just to get there and make offerings to these four gods. Aurora had felt they needed a reminder of who they were here for and what they claimed to represent.
“So what are you proposing, exactly?” Aterra growled.
“We each need to make a small sacrifice as a covenant with the people of this continent. A little of our magic needs to be used to create a balance, to create a new people that will help protect humanity on the continent. They will be our representatives in the world and hold a token of our power to keep us in check.”
“A human with magic could never keep a god in check,” Aterra stated.
“That’s correct. That’s why we will make the fae. Not humans with magic but magical beings themselves. We’ll each make a fae court.”
“Better. But do you really believe that will stop a god?” Aterra asked.
“It’s a fair question. If the strongest among them band together, it is probable,” Zrak considered. “But that’s why I also think we need a bigger sacrifice. Weaken the power of the gods slightly.” His patience with Aterra’s objections seemed to be wearing thin.
“What do you have in mind, Zrak?” Arctos leaned forward, anticipation evident in the slight lift of his brow. The unintelligible smirk that usually crossed his face was nowhere to be seen now.
“We need a bigger sacrifice than just a bit of our magic. One of us must sacrifice ourselves to remove the plague from the continent.”
Aurora, Aterra, and Arctos stared openly at Zrak as he finished his suggestion.
Aurora had anticipated it but didn’t think he would state it so boldly. She’d thought she’d have to maneuver the conversation to this point. “I agree, Zrak,” she said. “But how do we decide who will remove the plague?”
“I was thinking you could help with that, Aurora.” Zrak’s face turned bright as he looked at her. He’d always had little tolerance for Aterra, a soft spot for Arctos, and the deepest respect for Aurora. “Could you forge us a magical compass? Imbue it with an understanding of each of our magic, and we’ll let it decide. Whichever of our directions the compass points to will be the one to pay the price.”
“You can’t be serious,” Aterra said. “I will not submit to a decision of such scale based on a magic-imbued compass, even if Aurora is the most qualified to make such a thing.”
“Shall we vote?” Zrak asked.
Aurora wasn’t certain how Zrak was so sure of himself, but she was willing to go along with it. His plan was terrifying, but hadn’t they brought this on themselves?
“I’m in favor,” Aurora stated.
After a glance in her direction, Arctos said, “I am in favor as well.”
Aterra caught the glance and rolled his eyes. He glared at the three of them as he turned around and walked outside the temple. He yelled over his shoulder as he went. “Let me know when this lunacy is ready.”
Mom looked down at her again. “Are you still with me, sweetheart? Or do you want me to save the rest for tomorrow?”
“Please keep going. There’s only a little more left.”
Taking her hand, Rose’s mom kissed it as she continued the story.
Aurora knew just what to do. She went to the fires at the heart of Mount Bury to forge a compass for this purpose. A tool that would point them in the right direction.
“She could forge metals with magic, just like you and I,” Rose interjected. Mom’s smile was patient as she nodded and continued.
Aurora pulled from the fire a beautiful compass. She called the others, feeling their magics as they neared. She pushed her water, Aterra’s earth, Arctos’s fire, and finally, Zrak’s wind over the hot metal as she raised it from the lava-filled center of the mountain, cooling it before placing it in her palm. As she held it, she saw the needle start to spin.
“Everyone take your compass point,” Aurora said as she stepped to the Northern point herself. Zrak stepped to the East, Arctos to the West, and finally, Aterra shuffled to the South.
“Ready?” Zrak asked. But his question was rhetorical, as the compass needle had already started to spin.
It spun for seconds, minutes, hours. The gods would never know as they waited with bated breath. The compass finally stopped—the needle firmly pointing East.
“Zrak,” Aurora gasped. She knew it could have been anyone, but was somehow shocked to find it would be Zrak to sacrifice for all of them.
“Seems fitting,” said Aterra as he crossed his arms.
“Shut up, Aterra,” Arctos said. “This is serious.”
