Page 132 of Echoes of the Raven
Korben crosses his arms. “That’s not something you and I are going to discuss.”
Jago puts a hand up. “I want to know, too.”
They both get death glares from Korben.
I clear my throat. “Again, how do I do this?”
Galen huffs in frustration. “Just wish it open. I’m sure that’s the extent of what you can do with the amulet, isn’t it? You don’t yet know how to weave spells?”
“Weave spells?” I glance over at Korben.
He looks chagrined. “There is much more to know about how to channel The Eldrystone’s power than merely asking it to do your bidding.”
“Hmm, interesting how you hadn’t mentioned that.” I narrow my eyes at him.
He only looks smug and says, “There is much you still need to learn, Ravógín.”
“What is thisravógínnonsense?!” Jago demands. “The veilfallen leader is to the level of using pet names? Simply disgusting.”
“Shut up, Jago, or I’ll turn you into a chicken,” I threaten, tugging the amulet from under my tunic.
“Chicken!” Cuervo croaks from the branch where he’s perched. I don’t think I’ve ever heard such a delighted tone from him.
My cousin glares up at Cuervo. “Then I’ll finally look just like you, buddy.”
Cuervo hops on the branch, flapping his wings in annoyance.
“What’s wrong with that bird?” Jago asks no one in particular.
“Nothing,” Galen replies. “He is a perfectly normal Runescribe Raven. My family used to raise them. They’re counted amongst the smartest animals in Tirnanog.”
This is surprising information, and I want to know more, but I save my questions for later. Clearing my throat, I grab hold of the amulet, holding my hand tightly to my chest, and I wish for the veil to reopen.
Nothing happens.
“Did…. you do it?” Jago asks.
“I did.”
“Try harder then. You have always been such an underachiever.”
I send a death glare his way but avoid glancing in Korben’s direction. I don’t want to disappoint him. We have come so far, and failure isn’t an option.
Planting my feet firmly on the ground, I close my eyes and concentrate. Before I tell The Eldrystone what to do, I say a little prayer for Niamhara.
Please, Goddess, let us find a path into Tirnanog. Let all these people, your children, go home. They have suffered enough already. Open the veil.
“What am I looking for here?” Jago asks. “Maybe she did it already and we just can’t see it.”
I sigh, opening my eyes and registering the disappointment in Korben’s expression.
“Trust me,” Galen says. “You would see it. It’s not something you’d miss.”
“It shimmers,” Korben murmurs, his head hanging.
The next hour, I wish for the veil in a thousand different ways, but nothing works. At some point, my prayers turn into one-sided arguments with Niamhara, and I’m sure that if I ever make it across the veil, she’ll smite me as soon as I enter Tirnanog. She hasn’t done it yet because she’s enjoying my frustration too much.
After my thousand and one attempt, I growl in frustration and have to bite my lip not to scream at the heavens.
