Page 113 of Beyond The Maples
I know there's no arguing with her, and although I wish she would join us, I suspect she'll be just fine here. Somehow.
"Are the missing people being taken through the barrier?"
She frowns, scrunching up her face in thought.
"That, I am not sure about."
I chew my lip. I should've seen that answer coming.
"Do people die when they cross or touch the barrier?"
"Some do, some don't."
"Farra's brother— something happened to him when he touched the barrier. Or maybe he just got too close? Like he lost his mind a little. Do you know why?"
This seems to strike a chord, and Sibs looks pained.
"Poor boy," she mutters with a sad shake of her head.
She's lost in her thoughts for a moment. Whatever she's remembering seems to pull at her in all directions. I can almost see the memories playing out behind her eyes. I give her a minute, before gently placing my hand on her arm, and moving closer to her on the couch.
"Why did he lose his mind, Sibs?"
She takes a deep breath, dipping her head.
"The same reason anything happens, I suppose. For the same reason some people are affected by the herbs more than others. Everyone is made up of a different set of keys..."
I blink at her, trying to untangle the meaning.
"You mean magic? Do some people still have magic that protects them when they pass through?" I search her face, but suddenly she seems weighed down by the conversation.
"That can't be true. No one's wielded around here for decades. Longer, even..." I look back to Sibs, who continues to look pained.
She grabs my arm, holding it tightly, her eyes milky and distant.
"The boy will be ok, once it's righted. Once they're stopped. You'll know what to do, Maple. It's all in here," she reaches out and taps my chest. "Keep close to the fire; it will be your life light. Follow it. Listen."
I soak in her words.
"Farra's brother will be ok? Onceit’s righted—what do you mean?"
She purses her lips, and tears form in her eyes. I wonder... if talking this way costs her somehow.
"Sibs... if people have magic... or come from wielder lineages, what happens to them?"
Sibs looks relieved, breathing deeply, and her eyes refocus.
"They get very sick, Maple. Magic needs an outlet. Balance. And everything has a price." She pulls me up by the arm she's still clutching. Back to the infuriating compass on the wall.
"I know. This one is the real one. But what does it all have to do with the barrier and magic? The Gods are doing something again? How much more can we possibly be punished?" I grumble the last bit.
She shakes her head at me.
"This is where humans always get it wrong—assuming things are being done to them, and notbythem. If the Gods are what they say they are, don't you think they have better things to do?" she whispers.
I scrunch my face up at the tapestry that's been plaguing my thoughts. I methodically go through the memories of Dad I've recovered over the past weeks.
"Sibs, Aethur is a God... right?"
