Page 4 of Degradation

He stepped into the shadows in front of me, leading the way to my father. When we reached him, I saw his lips were pulled back in a silent snarl as his gaze flicked between the two men standing in front of me.

As I had with Garron, I touched my well and sent my energy into Father, searching his mind for the memories he held most dear. Rather than replacing memories with false ones, I meant to bind him to his memories as a man. With my intent set, I spoke the words.

“Father, in the days to come, the happiest moments in your life will shine in your mind brighter than the sun. Those memories will keep the shadows at bay, binding you to your purpose and reminding you why you must stay.”

Leaning forward between Darian and Liam, I touched a finger to my father’s brow.

A small spark flared under my fingertip. Father howled in pain but didn’t pull away as the acrid smell of burned fur filled our noses.

“Remember, Father,” I said softly. “Embrace the joy of what you once had and the pain of what you’ve lost. Eloise and I love you and need you to return to us.”

When I removed my hand, he dropped his head forward. His heavy panting gave away the anguish that radiated from him and curled around me.

“Forgive me,” he rasped, speaking clearer yet still garbled by his elongated snout.

“I find no fault in you, Father. There is nothing to forgive. Maeve is not one to stand against and survive.”

He grunted. “I will not fail you again.”

“You’ve never failed us, Father.”

“Sir, you’ve held out against the curse longer than most men,” Darian said.

“And each time danger approached, you warned Kellen,” Liam added.

Father glanced at the pair. “Protect her with your lives.”

“We will,” Darian said.

Behind Father, I felt other beasts slowly creeping forward, and I knew we needed to retreat to the glade.

“I love you, Father. Go. I will call if I need you.”

Without waiting for his answer, I turned and passed through the barrier so he would not need to fight to protect me.

When we emerged, the others were already in the yard. As Darian predicted, Brandle was not happy to see me leaving the forest.

“No lectures, Brandle,” I said. “I went accompanied and barely within the trees to help my father. Did you bury the tracker?”

He glanced at Darian and Liam.

“She already knew,” Darian said.

“She felt him die when the Foul Queen arrived,” Liam said.

“Maeve,” I corrected. “I believe two separate casters are plaguing us. Maeve likes to leave a trail of dried-out husks in her wake. What is the Foul Queen’s specialty, other than cursing brothers?”

“She kills small children,” Eadric said.

Edmund moved to cuff him.

Without conscious thought, I stayed his hand. All their amulets flared blindingly, and Edmund’s eyes rounded as he stared at his hand, frozen a breadth from his brother’s head.

“Please don’t cuff each other for speaking the truth,” I said.

“How?” Edmund asked, looking at Brandle. “This shouldn’t be possible.”

“You can still move your hand away, Edmund, simply not forward,” I said and watched him pull it back quickly. “You can thank Garron’s lesson on direct and indirect casting and Maeve’s visit. She proved the difference between casting directly on a person and casting on the environment around the person to indirectly affect them. I blocked your hand with a cushion of air between Eadric’s head and your hand. That’s all.”

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