Page 59 of The Crimson Walls Of Algorath

“I’m naturally inclined to heal.” Phulan extended her hand, and it glowed with a dim light that radiated warmth. “I chose to dig into this gift and strengthen it in my favor. It’s how I’ve lived so long. It’s also why I’ve never put up a fight against others, even when they hurt my friends. In the end, I’d do more harm than good against someone like Melia.”

“What are her skills?” Ariadne hardened herself against the worst. What pain and torment could she cause with a mere flick of her wrist? None of Madan’s or Kall’s warnings had described her capabilities.

“Melia’s a brilliant illusionist.” Phulan lowered her hand, her brows pinching together with an unspoken memory. “She can make you see and do things you’d never believe yourself capable of.”

That had not been what Ariadne expected. A battle mage, perhaps, had made the most sense to her. The ability to wield weapons from afar and rain agony from above had seemed to be the sort of person she would be. Not illusions. Illusions could not physically harm anyone. They could not touch someone or cause pain. They could not kill a person with a single thought.

Ariadne struggled to wrap her mind around the threat Melia posed. “Is there a way to learn how to recognize an illusion?”

With a grimace, Phulan said, “Yes. With practice. But my skills with illusions are basic. Melia’s are…difficult to discern even for a mage who knows they’re happening.”

“Will you teach me to know when they happen?” If nothing else, Ariadne could use that to her advantage. Being able to sense an illusion would help her know that not all she experienced was real.

Phulan sighed. “I will do my best. I can’t guarantee it’ll help, though.”

“Anything is better than nothing.” Ariadne bit her lip. “I need any advantage I can get.”

“Then tell me,” Phulan said and side-stepped around Ariadne, “which is real.”

Only…she did not step around her. Phulan remained exactly where she was. Another version of her moved toward Kall. An illusion of her.

“Illusions can fool any of the senses.” Phulan’s voice came from outside, but it sounded garbled and not quite right. Both versions of the mage reached out and laid a hand on her shoulder. They were equally heavy and gave a squeeze at the same time. “Even touch.”

Gods, Ariadne was in trouble. She looked between the two Phulans, then up at Kall, who shook his head and shrugged. He was none the wiser to which was which, either. If he, after spending so much more time with Melia, could not spot the differences, what hope did Ariadne have?

“I know you can feel the magic,” Phulan said from all around her. “You have ancient, dormant mage blood in your veins. Follow it.”

The words settled on her. Was that why she could sense the mages using their powers all around her in the markets of Algorath? Why she knew when something was not as it seemed, even back in Laeton?

“I do not know how.” Ariadne looked from one Phulan to the other.

“Center yourself.”

This was not what she had expected. She anticipated learning how to go up against a mage who would use magic as a way to physically do her harm. Not face off against someone—something—she could not discern from reality. This was a mind game, and every moment of training with Kall was useless.

But she did as she was told and inhaled deeply. Ten…

Nine…

Exhale. Such breathing exercises were not something she did often in recent nights. Only when something pushed her too far while training.

Eight…

Ariadne closed her eyes and brought her attention to the air around her, vibrating with the magic floating through it. The illusions themselves put out an energy that did not match what she was accustomed to feeling.

Seven…

Another exhale. She could hear Kall breathing, still standing in the same place. But not Phulan. There was no breath from the mage. Odd.

Six…

She pivoted, trying to feel the magic as Phulan instructed. It had to be there somewhere.

Five…

Her eyes snapped open. Something had shifted right beside her, and when she looked, there was nothing. Not an illusion. Not a person. Nothing.

Four…

---