Page 29 of A Blightress of Wrath
“Fuck.”
Inodded my agreement. “Hewas incredibly concerned about the safety ofMychaelon this trip.I’venever seen him like that.”
“Ithink he cares forMychaelmore than he’s admitted to.I’msure that frightens him.”
“Well, we won’t let anything happen to our channelers.Ofcourse we won’t.Liatold me that ifIkeep theBlightresslocked away in my mind, she cannot reach me.NowIjust need to teach that toPhiliusand we’ll be even safer.”
Weheard my brother’s laughter booming from the carriage behind us.
“He’sloosening up.”Revnodded toward the sound.
“Ithink he’s adjusting to the responsibility of becoming an uncle.”
“It’sabout time he adjusted to any responsibility, soIapprove.”
Imumbled my agreement and we continued on down the frozen road toLythglyn, filling the chill with the sound of our excitement for the future we believed would be ours.
Chapter14
Rev
Lythglynlayout below us as our carriages crested a small grassy hillside.Lanternsglowed as tiny specks of flame, beckoning us to follow for warmth, food, and a bed.
Itwas the town at the halfway point between theSpireto the east andHyrithiato the west.TheAttatokMountainssprawled jagged across the distant horizon as our next destination.Wewould leaveClairanniahere as we headed north toRadyx, and after a few days, we would head to theSpireto gather the last two channelers.
Ourcarriages entered the city gates, passing through the mostly empty streets.Wepulled up to the cleverly namedLythglynInn, all of us hopping down to stretch our legs and eat one last supper together beforeClairanniawould go her own way.Wetalked, we laughed, we ate, and we listened to the music before saying our goodnights and heading to our rooms upstairs.
Inthe morning we met again for breakfast in the much quieter common room.Karusstared at her porridge, hands in her lap, only able to take a bite or two and mostly sipping tea.Clairanniaspoke of theSpireand all the places she wanted to show us of her home.Bythe time breakfast was over, the three best friends were struggling to say goodbye, soIgave them some space, helpingMychaelandTalonwith the horses.
WhenIreturned to the common room,IfoundKarus,Clairannia, andFiguerahsomehow embracing in a three-way hug.Itwas perhaps the one thingHeimlengot right.He’dhunted for two other channelers whose personalities would suit what he knew ofKarus, and he’d done well.
Clairanniawatched them go to the carriages, her lip trembling.Iapproached, bringing her in for our own goodbye embrace. “We’llsee you very soon.”
Shesqueezed her arms around my chest and let go, wiping under her eyes. “Iknow.Just…make sureKarusis eating.Iknow she won’t stick to the foodsI’veencouraged, but make sure she’s eating something,Rev.”
“Iwill.”
“Shetold me.”Hergaze cast downward and she folded her arms at her chest. “Aboutevery terrible thingBaronAdaynthsaid to her.I’mworried about her going so far north.Itfeels wrong that she’s headed right toward theBlightress’slands.”
“She’sgot protection,”Imurmured, then nudgedClairannia’sshoulder with my elbow. “Besides, she’s close to the most powerful thing on this isle.”
Shenodded, twisting her lips. “Iknow, but she hasn’t found her limits yet.Andwe don’t know ifSaelynis weakening her or providing her with more magic.Ilyenna’sbabe is certainly pulling from her.WhenIexamined her, she told me how much her magic has changed.”
“Isthat common?Thatthe child changes the mother’s power?”
“Yes.Itvaries by channeler or conduit, though.Someare almost completely drained.Somebecome far more powerful for even months after they give birth.Notwo are ever the same.Iwon’t be able to tell withKarusuntil she is a few months further along.”Shelooked up to me with hardened eyes. “I’llbe there.WhenSaelyncomes,Ipromise to be there.”Shereached out and patted my shoulder.
Igave her one last hug, planting a kiss on top of her thick black hair and left, joining the nine others, leavingClairanniabehind.
* * *
TheCarrowRoadwas a bleak place.We’dleft our drivers inLythglyn, andIdrove one carriage across the rutted road whileNyeimahdrove the other.Mychaelsat next to me, taking a lesson on tree growth whileKarusworked inside the cabin withPhilius,Renn, andRell.Figuerahwas at the back of their carriage, giving special attention toTalon, training him to call different types of birds to his outstretched arm whileIlyennapicked up some extra sleep.
“Goodshape on that one,”Ipraised toMychaelsitting beside me. “Andwhat about a chestnut leaf?”
Hewaved off the image of an oak leaf, cupping his hands together, then spreading them apart to reveal a wisp of white magic in the shape of five long ellipse-like leaves with lacy veins and jagged toothed edges.
Mychaelclosed his hands, chuckling. “Idon’t thinkI’llbe pursuing agricola magic,Baron.Idon’t seem to be particularly adept at it.Whyis it so important to learn about the types of trees inFelgrenif that’s not the path we’ll choose after the trials?”
