Page 41 of A Blightress of Wrath
Figuerahoffered her thanks to both of the large cats and they sauntered off into the trees.Karuswrapped her arms around the iumenta conduit and let go first, giving a quick hug toNyeimahas well before takingIlyenna’shand and moving toward the trees.
Figuerahfrowned as they left. “I’llexplain the urgency.Weneed to spread the word about these beasts.”Figuerahgestured to the desecrated syphoner trees. “Andabout what theBlightresshas done to those she has stolen.”
“Makeyour words count.I’llbe with you soon.”
Iembraced her quickly, stepping back to let the companions step through their portals.
“Baron,I—”Talon’svoice caught in his throat as we followedIlyennaandKarus. “I’msorry.Rell,Mychael…”Hebrought his fist to his mouth, pressing hard to his lips before stammering, “Iwant t-to go after them.”
Iput my arm around his shoulder as his voice broke, and his body shook in silent sobs. “Wewon’t let this be their end.Theydeserve better.”Igestured to the syphoner trees. “Theyall deserve better, so let’s fight for them.Let’sfind a way to bring them home.”
Hewiped at his face and sniffed into the cold air. “Whatdo we do now?”
Karuswatched our exchange, andIstared back into those eyes filled with black, filled with anger, and hatred, and fear.Itook a deep breath in, slowly, letting her see my chest inflate.Shefollowed, filling her own lungs before we both exhaled together.Sheturned back around, still holding ontoIlyenna’shand, who wiped at her eyes continuously.Ilooked back at the man beside me, murmuring into the midday air, “Wehold onto hope,Talon, and we defy the dark.”
* * *
Wemadethe long trek back to the farm in silence.Oncea line of nine, now only four, metWellynandShayat their stone cottage, the sun beginning its descent behind the hills.Karusexplained that the four of us would be leaving at dawn, taking our four horses back toFelgrenimmediately.Sheoffered them the carriages as payment for hosting us for so long.
Shedidn’t explain.Shedidn’t go into detail of what we’d seen, and asKarusandIlyennawere ushered into the house withShaypromising a warm bath,Itook a moment to warnWellynof what awaited on theTectusTrail, urging him to consider packing up and moving toHyrithiaor theSpire.
Hedidn’t believe me at first, listening with a deep-set frown about how theBlightresslived and was searching to regain her power.Itwasn’t untilTalonangrily shook the old man that the truth began to settle in.
“Butshe’s a myth,” he insisted. “Weall know the songs and legends.”
Inodded. “Passeddown through centuries.Herreal story is a tragic one, whichIwill not repeat here.Allyou need to know, we’ve told you.Whatyou do with that information is up to you.”
Hepatted my shoulder, heading back into the cottage. “Thankyou,BaronRevich.Fortelling me the truth.”
Istood before the door, my hands in my pockets, one squeezing the rhyzolm tightly.Talonfollowed the old man, taking a glance back at me, butIshook my head.Heclosed the door behind him.Alone, in the dusk of winter’s chill,Isat on the stone steps, head in my hands, and wept.
* * *
Karushardly spokeas we rode back toLythglyn.Thefour of us were faster by horseback than by carriage.Wekept our horses at a trot, aware that thoughKaruswas not far enough along for concern,Ilyennashould not ride hard with her almost five moons of growth.
IheldKarusagain that night at the inn.Hertears streamed freely down her face with sobs of how we lost two of our channelers to a terrible fate and were left with theBlightress’sthreats to take our child.
Nowords could soothe her.Noamount of kissesIplaced on her temple could cease her tears, soIheld her instead.Irocked her in my arms, singing the only lullabyIcould remember from my mother.
“Sweetlydoes sing,
Thewren to the tree,
Callinginto the summer breeze.
Softlydoes hum,
Thebee to the sun,
Flyinginto the summer breeze.
Shylydoes bloom,
Thebabe in the womb,
Growinginto the summer breeze.”
Shelaughed into my chest, now bare and wet, soaked with her tears. “Yourmother sang that to you?”
