Page 39 of Tangled Power
“I’m more than happy to pack up and go,” Luc said.
“Maybe you should check the compass before we get too excited, Rose,” Carter added.
That was a great point. She pulled the compass out a little nervously. Would it lead them away from the village now that they had accomplished their goal? The needle spun, and hope fluttered in her chest.
“South,” she said. “It wants us to head south.”
They packed and left the village through the southern gate. After riding a few hours south, the compass changed course. A barely visible western trail crept into view. It appeared unmaintained, likely to be a challenge for their horses, even single file. But the compass was intent in its direction.
“It points this way,” Rose gestured to the tree-covered path.
“Well.” Carter shrugged. “At least it’s not sending us back to Loch.”
“It was unlikely we’d stay on the southern road forever,” Juliette added.
They turned the horses, dropping to a single file column in an effort to fit. Rose fidgeted as they slowly followed the trail. Though Rose was sure they’d done the right thing staying in Loch, guilt still gnawed at her for the delay. She had an idea of how they might help make some of it up in their travel—while also exercising her wind.
“I have an idea,” Rose said, glancing at Juliette.
Juliette’s answering smile was warm. “And that is…”
Rose was thankful that Juliette was willing to get straight to business. “What if we combine our wind to speed our progress on the trail?”
“Are you trying to pull my wind through your magic again?” Her comment gathered everyone’s attention.
Rose was a little surprised. Was that what had happened in Loch? “I’m not sure. I don’t really know how that happened—if that’s what happened.”
“I think you pulled my power into yours.”
“And…are you okay with that? I can’t say I know how to make it happen again.”
She assessed Rose’s response—her answer must not have been wanting as Juliette replied, “I’m ready if you are.”
Rose didn’t need more encouragement, calling her wind and wrapping it around the four Compass Points and their horses. Her magic heeded her call and sought out the space between the horses’ hooves and the ground, pushing the two further apart every time they took a step. Her wind snuck into the gaps, pressing further, changing their gentle trot to a canter as she moved them forward at a faster clip.
The smell of sage and citrus surrounded her as more wind magic matched her wind’s pattern. Juliette’s element wrapped around hers, encouraging it into the spaces it sought—bolstering her magic and speed.
Moving two horses down a mountainside was the most that Rose had accomplished. Now, she pushed four horses and riders across the ground. Even though this was reasonably flat land, she wasn’t sure about her limits. She had been exhausted the last few nights after such consistent use and weapon-making.
As she rode, she dove into her store of power. That was, after all, how she’d started whatever she’d done with Juliette in Loch. The wind blew across her lake, but it didn’t lead her to a door. It didn’t lead her anywhere. Her power didn’t lag as much as she anticipated, though. With Juliette’s power lifting hers, the strain lessened. It was nice to share the burden with her; two carrying a heavy load instead of one. Again,thisfelt right. This had to be part of what uniting the Compass Points looked like. She turned her head to smile at Juliette, enjoying the blending of their power. Returning her grin, Juliette’s wind wrapped tighter with hers, pushing the horses forward faster.
The evening meal was quiet.Carter could still be found toying with the Vesten artifact. Rose was sure he hadn’t let it out of hissight since she’d returned it to him. Luc stared into the fire. They hadn’t had time to talk privately that afternoon, but Rose was sure he had thoughts on the hole closing in Loch. Rose broke the silence.
“I couldn’t find the connection with Juliette again.”
“Don’t beat yourself up about it,” Juliette said. “Our power interacting as we did today is still good practice.” Juliette’s gaze lingered on each of the Compass Points as she shifted the topic of conversation. “I think I already know the answer based on my prior conversation with Luc, but…does no one else commune with their god?”
“What makes you say that?” Carter bristled.
“Well, for you—the fact that you didn’t recognize Lord Arctos until he revealed himself.”
Carter’s whole face flushed, and he stared down into his bowl.
“I do not, but I think we all expected that answer given why we’re here,” Rose said, trying to draw the attention from Carter.
“And I already told you my answer,” Luc said.
Juliette took another spoonful of her stew before she continued. She looked pointedly at Rose as if to tell her she was trying—asking Rose to notice her effort to work with the other Compass Points, especially Luc. “I’ll admit, I was least sure of Luc. Given the rumors of his power, I imagine Aterra would have noticed.”
