“Humph. The odds are in your favor for sure,” said Conner grimly.
Seneca and Shayna exchanged looks of concern. They remained mum, since neither wanted to engage or weigh in on the discussion.
“I’m sure we’re all going to discover more powers each time we have to face different attacks,” said Jake in an attempt to be reassuring. “How cool is that? I just think it was my turn. I was the last one standing—literally.”
He meant his remarks solely for Conner. He waited for a reaction, but none came. Conner sat down and looked off into space. He thought about Jake’s words and knew he was right, but he wanted to be of more use and not be a bench warmer. He huffed with crossed arms.
“It is true. Your instincts will always rise to the surface, especially in a crisis,” Rileau said. “You must all build up your arsenal of magic. This includes you, Conner.”
“Me? What arsenal?” asked Conner. He looked over with a glum expression plastered across his face. He was on the verge of tears. His voice cracked, and his eyes were filled to the brink. “Sure, I can break down a door or lift rocks. Big deal! How’s that going to save anyone?”
“You saved me,” said Seneca softly. “You took a direct hit, and you survived because of your gift.”
Jake was slightly startled when she spoke. He watched as she made her approach and sat next to Conner. Her voice had changed. It was airy and light. Her spunky, deep voice was gone, as were her golden-blonde locks. Her hair was completely white, with silver streaks highlighting it throughout. He had noticed the beginnings of the change before they teleported. The transformation was now complete. Her eyes were a brilliant, majestic blue with flecks of silver that caught the light. She had approached quietly, and her presence made them all listen intently. Even Rileau’s shoulders relaxed as he stepped back to allow her to take the lead. Conner obediently got up and stepped into a spot in the circle they’d naturally formed.
“We saved each other, and we did it because we used our gifts together. At least the three of you did,” she said. She locked eyes with each of them. “We survived the attack of someone who was able to make the same fiery balls as Brigara. That’s a big deal. We beat her, and that makes us an even bigger deal. A force like no other. There’s no telling what we can accomplish together, and they know it. I heard firsthand that Brigara’s followers are coming at us with all they have. I say let them come. They can’t handle the four of us.”
“Nice pep talk!” said Shayna.
“The best,” added Conner.
“I needed that,” said Jake.
“Thank you, Conner,” said Seneca. “You too, Shayna and Jake.”
“You’re obviously feeling better, Seneca, but I’ve been really dying to ask about your new hair,” said Shayna. “Don’t get me wrong. It’s really cute, especially on you, but what’s up?”
The room was silent as all eyes locked on Seneca. She shook her head in search of the right words to say. So much had happened, and she wasn’t sure where to begin. Once they had returned to the safety of the castle, Rileau had gone to work on her. She recalled being moved a few times, and several incantations had been recited. She would awake for a brief moment before drifting back under. He’d prepared a potion, described as a nectar of pixie tears and mint, which had worked to fully revive her. He’d explained that it would also bring her temperature to normal levels. However, he hadn’t told her that although she was no longer freezing, there were other changes the potion could not fix. Her physical transformation could not be reversed.
If Shayna hadn’t pointed her to a mirror, she wouldn’t have known her appearance had been altered to such an extreme. She was aware that her outward appearance was not the only change. Most of the alterations had happened internally; she could feel them. It was a knowingness that she couldn’t pinpoint or explain, but she would never be the same. With certainty, she now knew precisely what it meant to be a druid. She embraced it fully.
Seneca eyed Jake and wanted to know what he was thinking, but she resisted reading his mind. She could tell from his expression that he was expecting her to. She watched his nose twitch and his eyes bulge slightly. The way she viewed it, he was practically extending a broadcasted invitation to explore his thoughts. She pretended not to notice and looked away to avoid the temptation.
“Seneca,” Rileau said, “perhaps you can begin by telling us exactly what happened once you were forced to cross the portal.”
“Okay, I can tell you what I remember, but some of it’s hazy,” she replied.
“Whatever you are able to recall shall be beneficial,” he said.
“Before I get into it, I just want to say that I know it’s been crazy, and we’re all on edge because of what we’ve been through, but has anyone seen or heard from Wren?” Seneca asked.
“Great question! Did you guys know that she wasn’t at her cottage when we were attacked?” asked Shayna. “The place was trashed too.” She had a flash of what they’d seen when they arrived. They’d been attacked before they could investigate. She had been so concerned about Seneca being taken by someone she thought was Brigara that she hadn’t bothered to search for Wren. “With all the commotion going on while Seneca was snatched, my only thought was getting back here for help,” Shayna said sadly.
“It is understandable, and you responded appropriately,” said Rileau. “Your priorities and actions were sound. Now, Seneca, please continue.”
“Excuse me, but what about Wren? Do you know if she’s okay or not?” Jake said. He wondered why Rileau was brushing the issue aside. He had the impression Rileau and Wren were close allies. To ignore the topic was suspicious. He scanned Rileau’s face in search of any sign of distress or concern. He found none.
“Wren is no longer with us,” replied Rileau.
“She’s dead?” Shayna and Jake asked simultaneously.
“No, she has not passed. She has elected not to reveal her whereabouts or intentions. She may be a willing follower of Brigara. Seneca and Shayna were lured away from this castle without my consent. I am surmising that the plan was to attack and detain Shayna until the dupelene completed her task. Once this took place, then she could return with Shayna under the guise of being Seneca. She could then begin disarming the Dominion of Four until you no longer existed or were a threat. They underestimated your powers.”
The four were speechless. The idea that Wren would side with Brigara was something none of them could fathom. They began hurling questions at Rileau and talking over each other. He slammed his tail several times to get their attention and regain composure. The ramblings and convictions of disbelief came to a sudden halt.
“Silence!” Rileau roared. “Let one of you speak without trampling on the words of the other.”
They exchanged looks of confusion but complied with his command.
“I can’t believe she would turn on us,” said Seneca softly.
“Regrettably, it is likely true,” Rileau replied. “All those who encounter the dominion are tasked with gaining knowledge of your gifts. In particular, Seneca. They believe this would provide an advantage in your demise.”
“Why would they think that?” asked Seneca. “Why would Wren think that?”
“She probably saw you as gullible and anxious to discover what it meant to be a druid,” said Jake. “I bet she believed she could lead you directly into their trap.”
“If Wren is involved, then she was correct, it would seem,” said Rileau.
“I’m not gullible. I just trusted her,” said Seneca. “Actually, I trusted you, Rileau. Why wouldn’t I? You’re the one who said I needed to train with her.”
Although her voice was barely raised, her expression didn’t match the softened tone. Her eyes flashed a midnight blue before quickly returning to their previous hue. Jake saw it and knew it was a sign of her true emotional state. Her voice masked her actual demeanor, making he
r sound rational and calm. He knew better and decided to watch her closely for other signs.
“That is true, but I did not tell you to leave the grounds of the castle,” Rileau retorted. “You should have solicited any change to your training from me directly!”
“Well, I agree with Seneca,” Shayna said. “When Wren told me to train with Seneca, I just figured you asked her to do it. Seems like you’re blaming us for having a traitor in your camp. Look at it from our perspective: you introduced us to her. Like my dad always said, ‘You are as good as the company you keep.’ Or something like that anyway. You know what I’m saying. She was your friend and not ours. I was suspicious of her from the start, with her long legs and staff and all that other stuff. She even refused to show me how to throw my reflectoire into my shadow! And that’s not all.”
“Shayna! We get it,” said Jake. He threw up his hands to get her to halt her rambling. “We were obviously all fooled by her, including Rileau. Am I right?” Jake turned to face Rileau in anticipation of a favorable response, but he received a blank stare instead. Jake rolled his eyes and shook his head. He was baffled by him and kept looking for a reasonable reaction.
Shayna brushed Jake aside and continued her rant. “I wasn’t done, Jake! Rileau, we thought you trusted her and that she was your friend!” she huffed. “That’s why we took that stupid map and went to her house in the first place.”
“Beware of maps. That’s what got us here in the first place,” said Conner gruffly.
“Valid point,” Jake muttered.
Shayna was on the verge of tears, but her blazing temper held them at bay. She thought about all she had learned from Wren in such a short period. Her emotions came boiling forward as she recalled each moment. Wren’s treachery cut through her heart like barbed wire. She had never felt such betrayal. “How could she do this to us? Can we even count on any of the stuff she taught us?” Shayna asked as she threw her arms in the air and looked up in search of an answer.
“Her actions were beyond reproach. To my dismay, her quest for power is shared by many,” said Rileau. “She, like the others, must desire what has been promised. Those who follow Brigara are swayed by falsehoods and vacant promises. They seek power and believe she is their means for getting it.”
“Power? Brigara doesn’t strike me as someone who’d want to share that with anyone,” said Jake. “Just the opposite, actually. I was under the impression she wanted it all to herself.”
“It is not simply power that she desires. She seeks the source of all magic that permeates across all realms. Thus, the highest of power in existence,” said Rileau.
“What do you mean the source of magic?” asked Jake.
He hadn’t thought about there actually being a source. Seneca, Shayna, and Conner were engrossed in the topic as well. They pressed their bodies close, as if they were discussing a top secret and were concerned about being overheard.
“I don’t have to ask why Brigara would want to get to the source, but why would anybody else? Don’t most elementals and fairies have some sort of magic already?” asked Jake.
“Most all are born with some essence of magic. There are some who must be remedially taught to access magic. They are usually gifted in using natural methods from the earth to enact spells and potions. It takes longer, but their spells can be quite powerful. Still, there are others who are entirely absent of magic gifts. It is unfortunate, but they are often shunned because of this. As you can assume, this creates fear, resentment, and a blinding zest for having what they lack. Brigara is looking to capitalize on those who believe they are due more. Rejection is not just a mortal phenomenon. It also exists in our Otherworld.”
“She’s promising they will be powerful if they help get rid of us?” asked Seneca rhetorically. “That’s a hard-core recruitment strategy.”
She pondered the significance of what Rileau was saying, and it resonated with her. She had been ridiculed about her slight frame. She’d endured teasing about the oversized backpack she lugged around, as well as constant badgering about her lack of friends. She thought about how she had reacted in those moments of being taunted. Would she have agreed to do whatever it took to make the teasing stop? If someone in authority had offered her a way to get back at the offenders, would she have been a willing participant? She was sure she would have been tempted, but she was stronger than that. She knew she would have dealt with the bullies the same way she always had: with wit and avoidance. She actually felt empathy for her tormentors—not then but now. She knew this attitude had to do with the druid influence, which was completely engrained in her now.
“It is an enticing lure indeed. Offering power to those who lack it is a powerful tactic,” said Rileau.
“Ah, so she’s going after the low-hanging fruit—those who have been bullied and hold a grudge to get back at the offenders. Classic!” said Shayna.
“Those who are most vulnerable,” added Seneca. Her voice was solemn. “Those who lack confidence.”
“The ones with something to prove too,” Conner said. “They’ve got nothing to lose.”
“You are all correct in your summations,” said Rileau. “This makes her followers extremely dangerous. The opportunity to face those they consider their oppressors with increased power is an enticing offer.”
“The oppressed become the oppressors,” Jake mumbled. He looked to Rileau, who bowed in acknowledgment.
“There’s a disconnect, though. Why would Wren side with Brigara? It seems to me that she has it all,” said Shayna. “I don’t get it.”
“You mentioned that you were attacked by an elf when you were in Wren’s dwelling, correct?” asked Rileau. “Someone you said resembled Wren.”
“Yeah, but it wasn’t her,” said Shayna. “She dressed like her and sort of sounded like her, but it wasn’t Wren.” Her words came out more as a question than a definitive statement.
“No, it was likely her sister, Lorikeet. She is the younger sister to Wren and was not born with magical abilities. She has always remained in the shadow of Wren, who was quite protective of her. Lorikeet suffered much from the high expectations of the elf clan. They are proud elementals. To experience one of their own without even an echo of magic is not highly regarded. As such, Lorikeet struggled to belong.”
“How do you know this?” asked Jake.
“Wren came to me for assistance. She was concerned by the extreme methods Lorikeet was taking to acquire magic. She confided in me that she wanted to give her sister an ancient dragon elixir as a way to help her. She offered a satchel of precious black crystals. It is most rare to acquire crystals of that purity. She believed that if the crystals were mixed with the elixir, her sister’s blood would be transformed to contain magic.”
“I wondered what was in that bag. These black crystals can give someone magic?” asked Jake. He thought back to when they’d first met Wren. The satchel she’d carried had caught his eye. He wondered if she would have revealed the truth of its contents, had he asked. He knew it was highly unlikely, but it didn’t stop him from imagining how she would have explained it.
“I have heard of such things but have never practiced it. I was also wary by the way in which she came into possession of these crystals. I refused to subject her sister to such methods that could potentially end her life. Wren was quite disappointed. I regret to say, she may have sought other means to gain what she was seeking,” Rileau said in a concerned tone.
“You mean Brigara,” said Conner. “Do you think she contacted Brigara?”
“I have no proof of this, but it is highly probable. She was desperate to give her sister what she desired. Her love for Lorikeet is what drove her to risk so much. Having such a large quantity of black crystals appears to be proof of that,” said Rileau. “I’ve never come across that volume in all my time in the Otherworld.”
“How did Wren get the crystals then?” asked Jak
e. “Did she steal them or something?”
“I do not know, and I did not inquire. She would have been forthcoming if she cared for me to have such information. I can only assume that whatever the origin, the cost was at a great price. If they were taken by force or by farce, the owner may have a desire to reclaim them. They are highly sought. She will likely face threats if it is revealed they are in her possession.”
“She’s coming after me, isn’t she?” said Shayna. Her mouth hung open in a fixed gasp. Her face was colorless, and her eyes bulged. She was rigid and felt she would fall over from the slightest touch. She felt sick and numb.
“What are you talking about?” asked Seneca.
“Wren,” said Shayna in an airy whisper. “I killed her sister. She’s most definitely coming after me. And if she’s on Brigara’s side, that’s a hundred times worse.”
“I cannot speak to her intentions. Wren has always been noble. She has walked with others in harmony to end the war that Brigara has forged. It would be against her nature to side with such evil. But I cannot ignore what has occurred. While I have no proof, it is quite disturbing.”
“Yeah, and like you said, she just wanted Lorikeet to have magic and be happy, and now she’s dead. Because of me,” moaned Shayna. She covered her face and sobbed.
The revelation slammed them hard. They hadn’t discussed the fact that Shayna had ended a life or the repercussions of it. They had been so focused on saving Seneca that they hadn’t stopped to think about killing anyone. They had been consumed with talking about the changes in their gifts and the discovery of Brigara’s goal, but nothing about ending a life had crossed their lips.
Seneca wrapped her arms around Shayna’s waist and hugged her gently. Jake eased in and draped his arm across her shoulders. Conner gave her a gentle pat as he joined them.
“It’s okay, Shayna. We know you feel bad, but you can’t blame yourself,” said Jake. “We battled with those annoying acid-spitting fairies, possibly killing a few, and then the murkgoblins, but we had to fight back.”