They spent the next days recovering from the ordeal of fighting against Ashmeviti and the long travels they had made across the land.

Attention turned to the situation at Alpinheim and how they could possibly release it. Everyone agreed on one thing, they would have to work as a team and develop combat skills together.

In the warm sunshine in the idyllic and quiet grounds at the top of the Luina island cliffs plans were being laid.

Xellie and Mattos discussed how they could assist each other, as they both preferred sword combat. Grau and Tane sat at a table having a lively conversation about the best ways to use magic and conserve their energy to prevent either one of them from becoming exhausted.

Ary stayed by herself, swinging her feet over the edge of the cliff, listening to both conversations as best she could. She knew well that nobody considered her a viable combat participant.

“It is rather disappointing, isn’t it?” Raye asked, appearing next to Ary, wearing her white pearlescent armour. “They do not know how strong you are.”

Ary glanced upward in bemusement, then scrambled to her feet, bowing her head slightly toward Raye before addressing her.

“I can defend myself, Ma’am Valkyrie. I didn’t want to interfere with her journey. It’s exciting to watch.”

“Call me Raye,” Raye replied stiffly, looking sharply over toward Mattos and Xellie, then back to Ary. “You’re not here to watch the journey. You are a part of it. She is naturally attuned to seek out the warriors around her; fate did not bring you two together. Albeit, some of them are... questionable.”

“What should I do?” Ary asked nervously, scared that she would anger the Valkyrie.

“Show them your power,” Raye said kindly. “Be involved. Be strong.”

Raye vanished.

Ary looked around the grassy scrub at the top of the cliff, her sights settling on a small tree. Taking a small knife from her belt, she whittled away until she had removed the branch and most the small leaves.

She passed the branch between her hands, feeling its weight and gave a satisfied “mmhmm”.

Taking the stick, aiming like a bow out to sea, Ary chose a spot where she thought she could see a rock.

“Xel, I wanna show you something!” she called excitedly, looking over her shoulder. “Quick, please!”

“Huh?” Xellie looked over at Ary, then abled over to her, perplexed at the sight of an ordinary tree branch being wielded in the fashion of a bow, without any arrow.

“I’ll explain,” Ary said, taking a deep breath and drawing an invisible string away from the tree branch. As she released it, a burst of smooth, white-green light flew from the bow, out to the sea, exploding the rock she had aimed at.

Xellie ran to the edge of the cliff, watching the shards of rock splashing back down into the sea, sending ripples back to their island. Hiding her open-mouthed astonishment by studying the water, she took a moment to recompose herself, then turned back to Ary.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“That’s one hell of a trick,” Xellie said with raised eyebrows, taking the branch and studying it. “This came from that tree?”

“I made it just now, yes,” Ary replied, stifling a giggle. “It’s not a special tree.”

“Explanation time!” Xellie exclaimed excitedly, as the rest of the group came over to see what was going on, their curiosity arising from the explosion.

“Well...” Ary shuffled her feet. “This is unconventional magic from how people in your area do it. You know how when you eat an animal, its life is sacrificed so you may live... or have energy to do stuff? Well, trees live too and the life energy in their branches can be a source of power... and I know you think it’s weird.” Ary turned away defensively.

“You kidding me? That’s so cool!” Xellie said, clasping her hands together. “But why didn’t you show us this sooner?”

“Not many trees in the desert,” Ary replied with a fake laugh. “Uhh... I didn't want to steal your thunder?”

Xellie blinked in confusion at Ary’s statement.

“You gotta start helping us now, then,” Mattos said, faking a stern voice. “No more hiding.”

“Each branch only has so much energy, I’ll have to make a selection of them to take with me,” Ary said. “The nearer to the time we leave the better.”

“Makes sense if you’re draining the life energy.” Tane pointed out.

Raye appeared before the group, shaking her swan wings into dust as she did so.

“Perhaps we should leave as soon as possible. Would one more day of recuperation be enough for you all?” She asked curtly.

The group looked between each other, waiting for someone else to object.

Xellie spoke up.

“Well, I nee....”

“That’s settled then. The day after tomorrow, the battle to free Alpinheim shall commence.”

The group responded with a nervous silence, which didn’t bother Raye. Raye walked briskly toward the stronghold, signalling to Xellie to follow her.

“Do not disturb us,” Raye ordered the group, ascending the stairs to the top level of the stronghold, closing the door behind Xellie as they entered the suite that led to the balconies overlooking the sea.

“Your father and I spent so much time here,” Raye said coldly, her tone sending a shiver down Xellie’s spine. “To be attached to another human in such a way is one of the strongest feelings in the universe.”

Raye opened the heavy curtain to the balcony and sighed as she gazed at the horizon in the distance. She beckoned Xellie to come over and join her in looking at the view, taking her daughter’s hand in her own.

“Tane is not a bad man. He is fierce, brave and loyal, but he is a coward in matters of the heart. Don’t get too close.”

“Tane won’t hurt me,” Xellie replied, taking her hand away from Raye and slumping over the balcony. “He’s an idiot but doesn’t have it in him.”

“It is you who will hurt him.”

“I would never!” Xellie exclaimed, standing up to face Raye, who held up her hand to decline the argument.

Raye's reply carried a tinge of anger and sorrow.

“Surely you know you’re not long for this world. I’ve seen you reject Iyan, and Tane himself told you he couldn’t cope. Do you not think you should spare them the pain of loss?”

“You’re right.” Xellie sighed, feeling her heart sink. “I should keep my distance, but I... I can’t do this alone anymore. Tane coming back has been the best thing I’ve felt in years and...” she stopped herself as she tried to think of some excuse to refute Raye’s words. “I don’t intend to die anytime soon. Ashmeviti is gone for now. That’s the main danger, isn’t it?”

“I wish it were so simple.” Raye’s tone went cold once more. “I can feel how strong your will to live is, but that cannot stand up against the inevitable.”

Xellie recalled Vella’s tale of Raye running into a burning building to save her lover, who wasn’t even there. She knew that if she asked Raye anything about this, it would likely lead to Raye being unable to cope once more.

“I guess Tane is kind of a dick anyway,” Xellie said with a sigh. “I won’t get involved. He has Deena anyway.”