It’s even drawn artists for gods’ sake.
A few sit out there still, having worked through the night to capture the scene under the stars.
The veilflowers flooded the courtyard two days ago, and in that time they’ve grown. At night, the blue glow of the flowers illuminates the Moon Temple and Castle Erus—making it easily visible from anywhere in the city. During the day, the velvet green leaves shimmer in the sun and follow the light as time passes. Even now, with the sun about to break upon the horizon, the leaves stretch and broaden themselves, ready to feel the sun upon them.
Ollora now features its own terrarium-like spectacle of a plant that shouldn’t exist in this realm.
I cannot fault them for wanting to see it.
But if these people knew, if they understood what veilflowers are capable of, they wouldn’t stand and stare in awe. In the veil, the vines are damning. They ensnare wandering souls, disrupting the flow of the primordial order. Once a soul is trapped, it’s better to leave it.
In most cases, freeing it is more work than it’s worth.
Netharis decided prevention the superior approach.
During my early years as a Death Bringer, I learned how to destroy veilflower vines. Those not in bloom can be uprooted with relative ease. Netharis tasked scores of demons with scouring the veil and turning copses of the vines to ash.
But once they bloom… destroying them requires bloodstone.
And Netharis trusted no demon enough for that.
Vines in full bloom, while rare, are best avoided. Any soul unfortunate enough to become ensnared is granted an eternity in the veil. Which, perhaps for a hells-bound soul, doesn’t seem as horrible an end.
But lingering in the veil warps a soul.
It twists them, creating wraiths, death knights, ghasts, and other errant souls. Once a soul reaches that point, there’s no redemption. The veil is meant to act as a corridor, one with many passageways leading to the heavens or the hells.
Demons take advantage. They dangle the promise of finding solace in exchange for service, resulting in errant souls hunting others, those untouched by an extended stay in the veil.
Here, in the living realm, there are no souls to trap.
What purpose do veilflowers serve here?
Of course, I shared everything I know about the vines with Ryc. Despite his ability to peer into the veil, he was largely unfamiliar with the danger veilflowers pose.Seeinginto the veil andwalkingit are worlds apart. The perils of the slip-like domain aren’t a threat when separated by realms.
He dispersed the knowledge through the royal guard and an ordinance was issued within the same hour the vines appeared. Itwas an official notice warning Ollorans to keep their distance and a request for interested researchers to reach out.
I scoff a laugh to myself as I watch another small group of people join the crowd. My amusement quickly fades as it becomes clear both Oraphia and Raevi walk with them.
Raevi… I’ve seen little of her in recent days.
Hardly a glimpse in passing since she left me in Ryc’s study.
Her question about Fate and what happens after rings in my head. Will Nektos leave her to live as she wishes? Will she be rewarded for fulfilling her role? Or is a finished Fate a precursor to death?
I can’t imagine the state of her mind.
But I do hope she stays.
I do hope she remains here, hidden, trying to build the life she wants the way she wants it. Ryc would keep her safe, just as he keeps me safe, regardless of how much time she believes she has left.
Lifting the mug clasped between my hands to my lips, I sip, and immediately grimace. My tea went cold hours ago as I’ve sat here, lost in thought. Reluctant to swallow, I force the tea down.
A sudden streak of white amid the veilflowers pulls my attention and my head swings.
It’s not the raven.
It’s a soaring notepad, flying from one researcher to another.
