Page 102 of A Conduit of Light
WhatdoIleave behind asIbegin to leave this world?
Imust be harder on him.Isee that now.Myheart has softened to him too much.Imust give him my strength as it leaves my body.
Iwill not leave behind a weakling.
Iwill not leave behind a blight, wreaking havoc on this place that has flourished for centuries.
Iwill not go down in the books inViridisas theBaronwho let it all slip away, destroyed all because he was too soft.
Ilove him like a son.
AndIunderstand his want of her.Itoo, have wantedSylvafor decades now, butIhave understood my role here and she hers.
Ash’Arahis not that.
Shecannot be kept around for decades, she cannot be kept around to live.
Herpower has one use.
Andthat is to destroy theBlightwith my direction, my focus.
AndIknow that this will consume her.Thefight will consume all who are present.
SheandIwill not survive the encounter.
ButImust hardenRevich, so that when he discovers our bodies, he will.”
“Oh,Heimlen.”
Sylvafell into his arms, and he held her shaking body, whispering to her softly, “Weknew this day would come,Sylva.Andhere it is.Byafternoon tomorrow,Iwill be dead, and so…so will you, my darling.Butit is forFelgren.Itis for this place we swore to protect and love.Weare but two shining stars in the night sky, doing our part to keep the world alight.”
Shepulled her face away from his chest to look into his eyes.Hisblack and gray eyes that she would never see again after this night, and she sighed. “Wehave done it.Weare almost there.Iam sad to thinkIwill not live to see the forest return to its great beauty.Iwill not see the flowers bloom once again.”
“Iwill ask that they bury you under the ash tree grove where you loved to dance while the fall leaves fell.”
Shenodded and grinned, her last tears falling down her cheeks. “Kissme, darling, take whatIgive to you, and don’t forget whatIhave done.”
Hesmiled and held her face in his hands.
Shecould die in this moment.Beforehe even cast his spell, she could float away into the clouds just seeing him gaze at her like this.
Apounding at the door interrupted her haze and a single voice yelled, “Heimlen!Letme in!”
Karus?Alone?
Shelooked to theBaronfor instructions, and he nodded.
Openingthe door,Karusfell through, barely catching herself, her hair flying wildly around her tear-streaked face in dark, bronzed strands.
Hereyes were rimmed red and the brightest shade of green as her magic hummed around her in wisps of smokey trails.
“We’releaving.We’releaving for theBlightright now.Getyour things, say your farewells—we go.”
“WhereisRevich?”
TheBaron’stone was not to be unanswered.Sheknew it well, the venom that could seep from his words.
“TheBaronofFelgrenis in his rooms.He—he does not know about what happened in your study.”
