Page 3 of An Archer's Reckoning

“Then there was a woman in a long red gown. I know this sounds crazy, but she was on top of a building, standing by a massive statue. A dark-red mist swirled around her. The whole sky turned crimson. She feltwrongsomehow.

“I saw Atikus.” I sucked in air. “He was lying face up on snowy ground. His eyes were wide but saw nothing. Blood was everywhere.”

“Sweet Spirits.” Larinda leaned back against her throne. Her hand covered her mouth.

Tears streaked down my face.

Órla spoke, her voice deep and grave. “What else did you see? We need to hear all of it. Weneedto know.”

I wiped my eyes and propped myself up on my elbows sending Órla tottering a few paces away. “There was a man with silver hair. He wore regal clothing and . . . He was walking through a town square, then he was lying on a bed with his eyes closed.

“Then a teenage girl in a golden gown. It wasn’t just trimmed in gold. Itwasgolden. I saw her over and over, but in every image, she was running. She looked terrified . . . but strong.

“Then there were soldiers, more soldiers and archers and pikemen than I could count. There were so many . . .”

I reached a hand to my face and covered my eyes. My breathing heaved.

“Saltstone . . . Saltstone burned. The gates were ruined. Wide cracks sprouted across the Mages’ tower. It shattered, and the top third fell. The whole thing crumbled.”

The Keeper rocked backward as if punched. “That is not possible!”

“What was all that?” I asked.

Larinda leaned forward and helped me stand. “More of yer magic is awakening. Ya have th’ Sight.”

I stared blankly, so she continued. “I only knew one other t’ have th’ Sight. She tried t’ explain it t’ me once: ‘Sight shows what has been, what is, and what may be.’ I never really understood. She said ’tis confusin’ and ya never know what’s now or t’en or still t’ come or may never come. She said one t’ing was always true: Visions came wit’ great emotion—mostly pain or sadness—and most of t’em were true, at least in one way or anot’er.”

The Keeper picked up as Larinda’s voice fell. “The Sight is magic’s warning beacon. It is the Phoenix or the Well—we are not sure which—raising an alarm for things that may happen if the path is not altered. Given everything else you have learnedabout your magic, I am not surprised the currents have spoken through you.”

A memory tried to surface.

I grasped for it, but comprehension was just out of reach.

Something about a shimmering mist curling around me, following me. I can almost see it swirling up from the floor. Spirits, I’m going mad.

Larinda took my hand in hers. “Declan, ya are t’ key.Yaare th’ one who must learn th’ truth and alter th’ path.”

“Me?” I shook my head. “I came here looking for help, but I don’t know how to stop a war or change history. That’s crazy.”

“T’is what ya’ve been preparin’ for, Declan. Ya came in search of help for yer people, and magic has given yer peopleya.” Larinda smiled, and I caught a touch of sadness in her eyes. She couldn’t know everything I would face, but she seemed to understand the weight of the burden now resting on my shoulders.

“I’m just one man against a whole nation and who knows what else. What if I’m not enough?” I ran a hand through my hair, my eyes pleading as they found Larinda’s.

She squeezed my hand. “Ya are so much more than just one man, and yer not alone. The Daughter will be wit’ ya. Always.”

I was startled when the serene voice of a wise queen drifted from Órla’s beak. “Alone, you are powerful. Together, we are the shield that guards the world of magic. Bond-Mate, do not question whether you, alone, are enough.Wemust be enough.”

There was a gentle reprimand in her words, threaded with a depth of love and compassion that flowed through our bond. I took the hand Larinda was holding and cupped the owl affectionately. Warmth poured into me.

“You have grown into quite the little owl, my friend. I could hope for none better,” I said, gathering myself again.

“You are growing wise.Finally.” She strutted about, her husky voice contrasting with her comical dance. Despite everything, I found myself smiling.

The Keeper inclined his head. “You will need to think through those images, remember them. Their warnings may become clearer over time. Now, Larinda, I believe you were about to give the boy a gift.”

Chapter 2

Jess

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