Eirian approached Rynisia, her massive dragon form casting a long shadow over the ground.

It is time. She said,

Restrict the flow to the stolen conduit, as we showed you.

Are you sure he will obey the summons? Rynisia asked

Of course. Eirian replied with a snort. He believes he is nothing without that power.

What are you planning to do?

I will curse him.

But...he never hurt you personally. Why are you the one punishing him?

I dislike the arrogant. Eirian said with a flick of her tail. Also, this curse is required for...specific potential futures to be possible.

Like what? Rynisia thought

If we had certain knowledge of the future, very little could pose any challenge or threat. Eirian explained. As it is, all we can know are possibilities. In this case, it is unknown exactly what will happen as a result, but the possible outcomes of not doing it are unacceptable. Alternatively, killing him may be the more merciful option.

- - -

Rynisia watched as the dragon carried the thief away, feeling a pang of guilt.

Eirian spoke to her mind.

Why do you cry for the suffering of one who ignored yours?

If I do not cry for Meyriv, who will? Rynisia replied.

After a long pause, she spoke again

You know...I hated him before today. Before I saw how wretched he is. Now I have nothing but pity for him.

Eirian conveyed concern through her thoughts.

Be wary. Pity is not intrinsically harmful, but do not allow it to blind you to his nature.

Is it his nature? Or did he learn to be ruthless?

Either way, he is unlikely to cause anyone much harm anymore.

Unlikely to cause direct harm. Eirian corrected

he could still cause mischief in other ways, curse notwithstanding. And he is clever enough to find them, should he set his mind to it.

You are stalling. Do not let Irotem’s boon go unused.

Yes…

I admit, I am nervous to enter such a sleep again.

Worry not. I will wake you once your garden matures.

It requires your full attention to grow properly. Should it run wild, we will be left with two ‘swamps’ instead of one.

I understand. Please, do not wait too long to wake me.

I wouldn’t think of it. Rest well, child.

- - -

Irotem had empowered her garden-spring, and some of his knowledge and memories had also transferred over.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

She knew many of Meyriv’s possible futures, the ones Irotem foresaw and prevented.

While the details were unclear, the impression Rynisia gleaned was that he generally followed the same pattern of seizing whatever power was in reach and trying some ambitious attempt to enforce his ideas of justice and order.

When resistance to his efforts reached a tipping point, he would attempt to defeat his enemies with an arcanaphage.

Sometimes, it would spiral beyond control, wiping out all sentient life.

When it did not, others would create their own in opposition, forcing him into a futile war of escalation.

In most cases, life would be wiped out, leaving him as the only person left alive. He would then linger for months or years before succumbing to loneliness and despair.

Even with most of those futures mitigated, the remaining possibilities for him looked bleak.

However, they did not account for the knowledge she now had.

She could construct a new future.

This sleep was different from the first.

This time, she had a purpose. More than just the purpose given to her.

She would save Meyriv from himself.

But first, she had to fulfill her responsibilities. The garden’s roots must spread.

- - -

In Rynisia's trance-like state, years passed like weeks as she directed her garden, slowly extending its reach around the perimeter of the swamp until it was surrounded both above and below ground.

Now part of her attention was free to attend to other things, so she extended her garden's reach toward Meyriv’s sanctuary.

She could sense Meyriv's thoughts more clearly now, his feverish dreams plagued by the pain of his curse. As she watched him suffer, she knew that in many futures, he would wake up a madman, his sanity long gone. She tried to intervene, enforcing calm and struggling to change the focus and nature of his nightmares. But Meyriv was stubborn, and his mind resisted her interference.

One day, as she watched over Meyriv's dreams, a disturbance shook her. Someone was trying to usurp control of her garden. She sent a tangle of roots to intercept him, but he evaded them with ease. She attacked him with furious desperation, but he disappeared from her senses, only to reappear in front of her tree. He raised a sword and stepped inside.

She opened her physical eyes.

He saw her and stopped short.

“What? How is someone already—”

While he was distracted she was able to wrap roots around him.

He yelled:

“Wait! This was a mistake—”

Too late, she tried to stop the command. She watched helplessly as the energy drained from him. He collapsed into dust.

She stared at the emptiness where the man had been, unable to process what had just happened.

Eirian landed on the ground nearby.

Child, I saw. You did nothing wrong.

How could you let him reach me?!

I was too slow. I am not infallible.

I could have died! I only lived because he stopped himself!

Not necessarily. You are—

Why did I even trust you to protect me?! My sleep left me vulnerable!

Rynisia. I am sorry.

I would have died in your stead if possible.

I, too, have sacrificed much for this plan.

As her wrath subsided, she noticed that roots encircled the dragon. She did not remember sending them. She made them release her, appalled by her poor control.

I’m sorry! I didn’t realize—

I understand. No need to apologize.

Your awakening is not problematic; I was going to wake you soon anyway.

...Why are you so patient with me, yet not with Meyriv?

Because it is my role to discipline him. How much more betrayed would he have felt, had I cursed him after years of kindness and patience?

I did what had to be done. By doing so, I also chose to shoulder the brunt of his animosity.

Truly, I pity him. Though I have little love for his callousness.

I...my mistake. I judged you unfairly.

It was only to be expected.

After a while, Rynisia spoke again

Eirian?

Yes?

...I’m trying to help Meyriv, but he resists even in his sleep.

Have you used the stone he abandoned? Eirian suggested

No, I'd forgotten about it. How can it help?

He used it for years, its aspect is very close to his own. He may be less aware of your interference if you focus your power through it.

Thank you. I will try.