Page 54 of Aubade Rising
I nod and turn to Eskar. “I need to go to the islet; I’m going to solve this once and for all but I’ll need your help.” His eyes flash at my slip of the tongue, warning me to watch my words in front of Haelyn.
“What can I do to help?” Haelyn interrupts our conversation.
I regard her closely, the final pieces of a puzzle clicking into place.
“Did you master the Gallos?”
“Yes.”
“Then you need to come with us.” She nods and I feel Eskar’s reproach over my shoulder as we descend the stairs. The truth has to come out at some point and if I’m going to trust anyone in this city, then it would be Haelyn.
Chapter 54
The three of us make a quiet group sailing over to the laboratory. Neither Eskar or Haelyn asks questions in front of Diogel and I focus on keeping the food in my stomach on the bumpy crossing. Other than stopping to change our clothes and eat, we didn’t linger at Chi An Mor. Diogel was thrilled to see me. I think he, like everyone in the Concord, had assumed the worst when no news came. His open warmth elicits a small half-smile from me as I look to Eskar; no one has welcomed him back home.
The islet comes into view and I’m distracted by the pit in my stomach as my mind runs through all the cruel ways Kitto could be hurting Cedar. She’s vicious but doesn’t do anything without a plan. Leaving the rebels may have triggered retribution in destroying the aqueducts but this is more personal: she’ll want me to suffer. Even if she plans to use him for leverage, it means he’s alive for now, and that’s all I can hope for. I know my research is crucial but on the walk up to the laboratory, the guilt I feel at not going out and searching for my brother weighs heavy on my chest.
Inside, the instruments and worktops are covered in a thin layer of dust, the only disturbance being the unmarked sack placed on the other side of the room. I take a deep breath as I read the note placed on top. Kitto’s handwriting is recognisable. Reluctantly pushing Cedar’s abduction aside, I turn to them.
“I need you both to keep this a secret.” They nod without hesitation and I twist my hands behind my back.
“For the last couple of years, Dervla and I have been working on a way to democratise magic. To store it outside of our bodies, so we no longer have to be dependent on sunlight, running water orthe wind. Serpentine is one of the missing pieces, but after being forced to work with the rebels, there’s something else.” I pause, rocking back on my heels before taking a deep breath. “Kitto and I could never get it to work,” I look to Eskar, “But I had more success than her. I think all three types of magic are needed.” Haelyn looks between the two of us, eyebrows furrowed.
I allow them both to digest what I’ve just said. The idea that multiple types of magic need to be combined has been brewing in the back of my mind since Kitto couldn’t replicate my success. I have that tiny strand of Mordros magic to thank, combining the two together seemed so close to bringing the balance that was missing.
“We need to wield our magic together. If we use the Gallos and gently direct it into the crystals, I think they will store it.” I look to them in turn, waiting for their cautious nods. Eskar is in shock but Haelyn radiates a smugness that tells me she already had an inkling of what I’d been doing. I set up one of the crystals from Eskar’s backpack, choosing one of the smallest.
“We’d better stand back, just in case. My previous attempts were explosive.” The three of us retreat closer to the protective screens and I reach deep into myself, coaxing my magic to the surface.
It comes willingly, gladly and the strand from Eskar waits patiently behind, not needed. I send it through the air and into the waiting crystal. Eskar and Haelyn join me, their magics adding to my own. Aubade, Zephyr and Mordros combined.
A heavy pause – I hold my breath as the crystal glows faintly. Before, the glow brightened, showing us it was only a matter of time before the experiment would detonate. But here, as the minutes pass, the faint pulse-like glow remains constant, the magic hums in contentment. In perfect balance.
The void in my chest tells me my magic is depleted but rather than channel from the daylight, I take a tentative step towardsthe crystal. Eskar flinches but doesn’t move to stop me. I place a hand on the warm crystal and before I can think, I feel an intense rush of magic flood into my system. The returning magic is purely Aubade and it fills the void, the little strand of Mordros happily welcoming it back. The crystal is cold, energy depleted.
I turn to them, tension draining from my body. “I think we did it.”
Their mouths fall open before identical grins spread over their faces and Eskar closes the distance between us, pulling me into his arms. Safe in his embrace, I allow myself a scrap of joy at this breakthrough. More tests will be needed, of course. But I can tell, this time it’s different. My magic could sense it.
The niggling doubt following me from the Haag, the doubt that took root once I saw Kitto mastering the Gallos and experimenting on serpentine evaporates. This is my win. Years of effort, research and set-backs, all leading to this. Kitto had to resort to torture, abduction and manipulation to make progress. I did this on my own.
“This changes everything,” I mutter as Eskar keeps his hands on my shoulders.
“I know.” His calm voice steadies my growing excitement. We just need to convince the King and the Concord that this is how we resolve the rebel conflict. To show them there’s no need for violence. This might be our way out of this mess. A loud cough interrupts us and we turn sheepishly to see Haelyn smirking. Her grin matches my own as we clasp hands: Zephyrs and Aubades now have a chance of a brighter future.
Chapter 55
We practised all afternoon, only stopping when the light dipped below the horizon, preventing me from continuing. Each experiment was a success, every crystal that we hauled back from the Haag was imbued and drained without any issues. Each of us was able to help drain the magic but Eskar and I share a glance when Haelyn confirms that her magic remains the same. Eskar is still completely Mordros. I’m the only hybrid; his magic still burrows deep in my chest but hasn’t been replenished by the serpentine either. I can only access my Aubade magic. Serpentine requires all three magics to imbue it but, when it is drained, the magic only replenishes what is required by the user. My happiness dims a little but I’m familiar enough with research to know that often as soon as one question is answered, more appear. It’s a problem for another day.
Now comes the tricky part. Dervla will be ecstatic but the King… I gaze sleepily at Eskar as we sail back to Chi An Mor. Technically, I’ve been in breach of the Difan for years and Haelyn and Eskar are implicated now too. I don’t think he will punish us but the Concord certainly will try. If it comes down to a vote, Dervla will need to use every scrap of political capital to spare us. But once she does, I have hope. With this discovery, Aubades and Zephyrs will be able to access much greater quantities of magic. We won’t need to calmly accept the rules that the Mordros force upon us. The King will be able to steer Trevesiga towards equality; we can push for representation on the Concord, we can push for fewer restrictions on the jobs we can hold, the schools our children are permitted to attend. My chest feels lighter, my lungs fuller and all doubts on my abilitiesevaporate. Years of work have led to this moment and even with Kitto and the Kevren Gwir threatening us, I feel hope.
Behind Haelyn’s back, Eskar and I sneak glances at each other as Diogel steers the ferry home. The tension brewing since the greenhouse in Cathair is setting my skin on fire and I would give anything to have a few moments alone with him before we tell the Concord. My reckless hands reach for his, pulling them into mine as the city approaches and his caramel eyes track over my body. I know he wants me and if this is our only chance before Trevesiga is changed forever with our discovery then I want him to give in.
A white flash blinds me. Seconds later, an ear-splitting boom punches into my stomach. The ferry rocks and water splashes us. I get a sickening feeling I’ve missed something. Something essential. Eskar is staring wide-eyed at the islet behind me, horror written across his face.
I turn and my heart stutters. Black smoke curls over the highest hill on the islet, silhouetted against the sunset. The hill that conceals my lab from Pentargon. It dawns on me. The serpentine. The bag Haelyn brought from the wreckage of Cedar’s house. The one I assumed was a gruesome calling card, a personal note from Kitto to remind me of her reach. I never looked inside to see if the crystals were glowing. It was a trap. Wordlessly, Diogel turns us back round.
We leap off the boat as soon as it reaches the shallows. I wade ashore and sprint to the laboratory. Eskar eclipses me with his long strides.
