Page 84 of Mountains of Mist and Magic

“We are prepared to pay it,” Cressida answered for the group.

“Excuse me?” Selenia squealed.

“We don't know what it is!” Julietta added.

“We can't ask what it is. We get one question,” Cressida hissed.

“This is nonsense,” Grayden said, moving forward to protect the others. “It could be anything. It could be our lives!”

“It won't be,” Cressida said.

Renya looked at her father, hoping he would know what to do.

“I'll make the payment,” he told the nymph.

“No!” Renya yelled, but her father held up his hand. “Let me do this, Renya.”

The nymph laughed, airy and light bursts of sound that resonated throughout the strange passageway. “It requires more than you can give, King Cyrus of the Sun Realm. But, you can go first.” She held out her hands to Cyrus, and he grabbed them before Renya could react.

“Done,” the Nymph said, and her color seemed to brighten a bit.

“What happened?” Renya asked Cyrus.

He flexed his fingers and then straightened his glasses. “My magic...my magic is gone.”

“Temporarily,” the nymph said. “As long as the three return, it will be restored. But that was not payment enough. All must pay.”

Renya gulped and looked at the group. “How can we face whatever trials are ahead without magic?”

“You must,” Cressida answered. “It is a part of the trial.”

Renya squared her shoulders. They hadn't come this far just to give up. She offered up her hands, and she felt a spark as she joined palms with the oread. Then, as if through a running faucet, her magic was drained.

The sensation was unlike anything Renya had ever experienced. It began as a tingling in her fingertips, spreading up her arms like icy tendrils. Her chest tightened as she felt the essence of her power being pulled from her very core. It was as if a vital part of her was being siphoned away, leaving her feeling hollow and vulnerable. The world around her seemed to dim slightly, colors losing their vibrancy as her connection to the magical realm faded.

She felt woozy for a second, her knees threatening to buckle, but then she recovered quickly, taking deep breaths to steady herself. The nymph glowed even brighter, seeming to absorb the magic that had been a part of Renya.

To her surprise, Julietta lined up next. As soon as she joined hands and the exchange was made, the nymph seemed taken aback. “You have much power for someone so small,” was all she offered for an explanation. One by one they came forward, except for Phillippe and Esmeralda, who had absolutely nothing to give. Even Triston and Grayden had a bit left for the nymph to take.

Cressida went last. Renya was shocked that she would part with her powers so quickly, but it was over and done in a flash. Despite the tiny scowl on her face, she seemed unbothered.

“The payment is enough,” the oread declared, and the shimmering haze that separated the tunnel from the inside of the mountains fell.

Grayden made a movement towards the archway, but was instantly thrown backwards onto the rock and pebbles now lining the beach.

“Grayden!” Renya exclaimed.

“I'm okay,” he said, picking himself up and dusting the sand off of his tunic. He shook out his hair, and sand rained down on them. “What was that?”

The nymph looked at him, but didn't say anything.

“Three can pass,” Cressida mumbled, and Cyrus nodded in agreement.

“I think you're right, Cressy.”

For once, Cressida didn't scold him for using his pet name for her, and looked at him without disgust. Renya immediately noticed the look, but didn't have time to analyze it.

“Which three?” asked Agatha.

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