Page 116 of The Study of Magic
“Let’s finish this,” Stocky said, challenging her.
She grabbed Moon Man’s hands and the magic that bloomed from the big man almost knocked Valek over. The three of them faded and disappeared.
* * *
Moon Man reappeared about half an hour later without Yelena or her brother.
“Where are they?” Valek asked.
“In the shadow world.”
“Uh. Shouldn’t you be there too?”
“Oh, I am. But I am also with you.”
“Okay.”
Moon Man smiled. “You are confused.”
“There’s been so much happening. And I’m not privy to all the information.”
“Frustrating for a man who loves knowledge.”
Valek wondered what all this was leading to. “Very. We haven’t had any time to talk about everything we need to discuss. I’ve no idea what she’s been learning or doing in Sitia.” And why was he telling this man?
“Or for her to learn of your adventures.”
“She’s dealing with a lot right now.”
“Hmmm.” Moon Man saw right through him. “I can help with some of your confusion. Yelena and her brother’s relationship is twisted with guilt, fear, anger, sadness, pain, and loss. When Yelena was kidnapped, her brother watched it happen. Eight years old, he had been upset with her for not staying close to him—the Illiais Jungle is filled with dangers. Then, when Kangom carried her away, he was frozen in fear. Of course, an eight-year-old cannot fight a grown man. Especially not one with powerful magic. His guilt and shame over not acting caused his silence, and Yelena’s family never knew what happened to her. She just disappeared.”
“That’s terrible. If they had known?—”
“Yes. Which is why Yelena is angry with him. To atone for his inaction, her brother searched for her every day he was in the jungle. And then, she suddenly returned fourteen years later with tales of her life in Ixia, and his pain and guilt intensified into hatred. He thought she had been living a wonderful life, while his was wracked with guilt, shame, and pain. He had no life other than work. He sought to kill himself at one point. The horses call him Sad Man. Of course, Yelena and her brother have both made inaccurate assumptions about the other. It was time they untangled.”
“With your help?”
“As their Story Weaver, it is my duty to aid them.”
“Will it work?”
Moon Man grinned and gestured. Yelena and her brother stood nearby, staring at each other. “They have reached an understanding. And I will aid you as well, Ghost Warrior. The Sandseeds will send you some soldiers to help you against the Daviian Vermin named Alea. Meet us at dawn.”
“Where?”
“The horses know where to go.”
“How?” He asked the air. Moon Man was already gone.
Valek went to join Yelena and her brother.
“How come they never schedule a New Beginnings feast when you really need to start over?” Yelena asked.
“That’s okay. I don’t dance,” he said with a smile.
“You will.”
Valek cleared his throat. “Touching as this is, we need to go. Your Story Weaver is providing us with some soldiers to aid against Alea’s people. We’re to rendezvous with them at dawn. I take it your brother…”
