Chapter 2-36

My next moment of awareness was defined by pain, and the hoarse rasp of voices that were trying to somehow shout and whisper at the same time.

“We’ve nae quarrel. We’re here to help him, not put him to the torch.” I recognized Siobhan’s voice, though not the two voices that offered lukewarm agreement alongside her.

“I don't trust you.” Myta was angry, though her anger felt distant through our bond. Then I realized it was the bond itself that felt distant and weak, which sent a spike of panic through me. “I may not have Esur’s skill, but I felt your spirit in the battle. You're a sorcerer, or something. You’re stronger than you show, and you could have done far more than you did to aid the battle.”

“We won,” Siobhan retorted flatly. “And I did all that I could to make sure we did. if you call me a liar you’ll burn all the goodwill you’ve earned today.”

“Peace, Myta.” That was Sati, her voice thick with relief. “He’s awake, so let’s see what he wants to do. We’ll be back in a moment.” That last was said in a different tone, obviously aimed at my visitors. Myta was already bursting into the tent I found myself in, which was my own tent, so I assumed we were back atop the plateau.

My flame hit me like a falling sack of sand, collapsing on top of me where I lay on my bedroll. Her relief and lingering fear were obvious, but still felt far away, even as she showered me with kisses across my face. When I tried to focus on our bond the sharp burning pain that I’d been feeling spiked, and I realized that it wasn’t physical, but in my spirit.

“Master?” Myta paused in her affections as I grunted with the pain, her brow creased in worry. “How can we help you? What do you need?”

“Just, take a breath my love.” My voice was normal, if pained. “I haven’t had time to take stock of myself. What happened with the battle? And how long have I been ****?”

“Your spell, whatever it was, healed the entire company, and restored all of our mana. We killed the shifters, and Denu’s rangers killed the two monks who were controlling them.”

“What about their spirits?”

“Gone.” Myta hesitated. “We destroyed two, but the rest ran as though compelled. Denu wasn’t able to follow them.”

I frowned deeply. In some ways having the spirits leave was a very good thing, as their corrupt mana could have poisoned the land. But it was a change in behavior, and those spirits were potentially a tremendous resource for Entreyu.

“Perhaps we could have pursued them,” Myta took my expression as displeasure, which it was, but not at her. “I was concerned with your wellbeing, and had the company form a defensive camp here. I’m sorry, master.”

“It’s fine.” I wrapped my arms around her tightly, and pulled gently on her hair. Her shoulders shuddered at my touch, and I could tell she was suppressing tears. “You did what you needed to in the moment, I’m proud of you my flame. And you kept us safe. That’s what is important.”

She nuzzled into my chest, and despite her best efforts I felt the wetness of her tears soak through the cloth. After a moment to gather herself, she continued.

“We’re encamped at the base of the path. It’s been a day, and the moot has ended. The clan delegations have begun leaving already.”

“But Siobhan is waiting for us.”

“Not just her “ Sati stepped close, looking down at me and biting her lip pensively. I hadn’t even noticed her following behind Myta’s dramatic entrance. “Several other clans left behind representatives to accompany us.”

“To help? Or just to spy on us?” I let my cynical feelings bleed into my tone, and Sati smiled.

“Of course to spy, but all of them have offered specific, tangible services. It seems that foiling the ambush indebted the clans, though I’m not sure if they are grateful, or just feel obligated.”

“Some of each no doubt,” I nodded slowly. “We wanted to make an impression, so at least we’ve done that. And prevented losses among the leaders of the clans. I’ll consider that a win.”

*A ‘win’ doesn’t usually come at the cost of almost shattering your spirit.* Ket’s mental voice was as sardonic as I’d ever heard it. *Especially not when there was no need for it. I, and the other elders, were prepared to intervene.*

“I, didn’t realize that.” I bowed my head to the spirit, who came walking through the wall of the tent, accompanied by another spirit, whom I knew only by reputation. “Thank you, for your consideration to what do I owe the honor of this visit?”

Ket sneezed at me in irritation, but it was her companion who answered. “We are here to settle debts, of course. While this ambush would not have destroyed us, it would have harmed our clans. You service must be repaid.”

The goddess Nagana appeared as a very tall and slender human woman, with dusky skin and a smattering of black scales across her body her robes and jewelry were opulent, and a fan of cobras rose from her shoulders, sheltering her head like a living hood.

“I understand,” I felt my heart skip a beat. Having the elders of the metic tribes indebted to me might be more dangerous than being indebted to them. A debtor was a resource that they could use, but currently I could be considered a threat. “I am unused to the ways of the sea. I did not mean to put you under any obligation.”

“I know,” Nagana smirked at me, and her hood of snakes all tasted the air. “No need to worry. I have accepted the debt for all of us, and you have provided me with a convenient means to balance it.”

“As you say, goddess.” I was quick to agree. “I would be happy to accept whatever aid you wish to grace me with.”

“So eager.” Her expression was amused, but I felt her irritation as well. “I almost might think you didn’t wish to associate with me.”

“The truth is that I am unsure.” I was used to concealing my real emotions, but poor at lying. With an unfamiliar goddess, I thought truth was my best option. “I think your aid could be invaluable, but I have no idea of your true desires or intentions, so I am wary. These matters of debt and obligation seem more likely to result in resentment, then cooperation.”

“You should be wary,” she smiled again, much more genuinely. “But you have little choice right now. Your spirit is in tatters. You will be spiritually crippled without significant aid. Even with my help, you will need time to recover. Time we can ill afford.”

“We?” I raised my eyebrow at her.

“You are hardly the only one to see the danger of the Pure. Your brother has taken the worst aspects of your homeland, and magnified them a hundred fold. They must be stopped.”

I felt a surge of resentment at her words, but also fear.

“Ensu is still alive? Awake?”

“Both of those are debatable,” the goddess answered me. “But despite his… torpor, his legacy is poison enough to kill the Shattered Lands.”

“So how do you propose to assist my healing?” I tried to focus on the immediate problems, though thoughts of Ensu left a taste like pyre ashes on my tongue.

“Have you even had a chance to assess the damage yet?” She raised her own scaled brow at me, and I shook my head.

“I have not, but I know this pain. I feel as though I had broken open my meridians all over again, but many times worse.”

“Just so.” She nodded, a hint of surprised respect in her gaze. “You tried to **** something you should have done over time. And you weren’t prepared for the strain.”

“I wasn’t using my internal mana though.” I noted. ”If I had been, that amount of mana should have burst all my meridians. It would have completely destroyed my spirit.”

Nagana smiled again, inclining her head at me to acknowledge the point, while Myta glared at me for that particular revelation. The goddess, however, didn’t answer my implied question.

“I’d like to show you my domain, I think you will find the visit inspiring. Patala is a beautiful realm, full of wonders that few have a chance to see.”

There was something lurking behind her words, some hidden meaning I didn’t immediately understand. It was apparent that she was dodging my questions and curiosity, but then, could she even answer them if she wanted to? My injury originated from my attempt to use my domain, which tied to the Radiant Sea. Perhaps her healing aid also fell into the realm of forbidden knowledge. I glanced at Ket, who nodded. I might be wary of Nagana, but Ket had earned my trust.

“I’d like that,” I said. Myta bristled and made as if to object, angrily. Nagana however, made an appeasing gesture.

“Your vas are invited as well, of course. In fact, your visit would be quite incomplete without them.”

Myta appeared equal parts appeased and horrified by the prospect, drawing close so that she could hover over me protectively. Sati, by contrast, practically skipped over to us. Her eyes were wide with excitement, and I wondered what she had heard about Nagana’s domain that made her so eager.

“I would be honored to visit your realm,” I replied after a long pause for consideration. “I do need to take stock of my spirit, but otherwise I should be available at your earliest convenience.”

She gestured for me to get on with it, and so I turned my attention inward. The damage was both better and worse than I had feared. Every part of my anima was riddled with fractures, the cracks themselves were tiny, but so pervasive that I would never be able to work any but the most basic and gentle of sorceries without tearing myself apart. I would need to reforge my entire spirit, every node and meridian. Even my lancet threatened to crumble like a stale cracker.

I opened my eyes to see Nagana waiting, trying not to scream in frustration at the progress I had lost. Her eyes were surprisingly kind, showing an understanding that I didn’t expect.

“Pay attention and you can restore yourself, stronger than you have ever been.” She glanced at Myta and Sati. “Your court has the potential to shape the Radiant Sea. And your failure, your injury, can yet become a strength.”

The goddess let her presence spill out, filling the tent. I watched closely as her mana filled the space, and then infused it, sinking into every object and being. Her mana flowed into me, into my vas, and even into Ket. It was cool and soothing, containing some aspects of knowledge and rebirth. Somehow, she found a unity with everything inside that space. With a feeling like falling, we were pulled from the physical world, into her domain.