His smiling face filled Dyna’s mind again. She steeled herself and focused on her task at hand. The question didn’t warrant an answer. She couldn’t trust what would come out of her mouth if she did.
“I … didn’t believe him. I truly thought the Shadow would not come. After... many times I came to your door but I couldn’t bring myself to knock.”
Even if the councilwoman had knocked, Dyna may not have opened the door. She had not been in a place to listen.
Her hands glowed green as she brandished them above Lady Samira’s body in a slow, sweeping motion from her head to her feet. Dyna closed her eyes and let herself drift into theEssentiaDimensio—a plane reached only from within.
Glimmering bulbs of light in all colors spanned a world of darkness, stretching into oblivion. They represented the Essence of every living being. Surrounding her were luminous bulbs from the council members nearby and those of the villagers in the distance. But Lady Samira’s golden light dimmed in hazy sputters.
“From that night, I questioned each decision I’ve made…” Lady Samira gasped for a breath between each group of words. “Whether I could judge correctly … whether I have made the correct decision to keep them here.”
Dyna reached out with her green Essence and brushed it against the councilwoman’s. The gold Essence briefly pulsed bright and an outline of Lady Samira’s body appeared, splintering into thousands of trails. The Essence Channels. Tunnels of translucent light that ran from the crown of her head to the root of her body. They should have been solid, pumping steadying streams of magic as blood does through veins, but her Essence Channels were breaking down, some completely gone. A small dot of light remained at her heart, and it was fading.
“Am I wrong now, Dynalya? Tell me … will I kill them too? I do not know anymore …”
Dyna wished Lady Samira would stop talking so she could concentrate. Her hands shook as she tried to revitalize the councilwoman’s Essence with her own. No matter how much she gave, the channels didn’t reconstruct themselves.
“I am dying.”
Dyna opened her eyes.
Lady Samira nodded at whatever she saw on her face. Dyna couldn’t find the right words to reply. As much pain as the woman had caused her, she didn’t want this.
“I’m sorry.”
“Your sympathy is wasted on me. I had sensed my time to walk through The Seven Gates was nearing … I only accelerated the inevitable by using my last remaining Essence to stop them from leaving … You have nothing to be sorry for. It is I who must speak those words.”
Lady Samira had never been so docile. Perhaps death had left her rueful, or perhaps it was guilt, but this was not the harsh woman who had addressed the village.
Dyna fought to stay focused. The use of Essence had drained her energy, arms limp at her sides. She had come to speak to the council. Now may not be the appropriate time, but she may never have another opportunity to be heard. “Lady Samira, I must seek your audience.”
The old woman studied her. “Speak. Quickly now … I have little time left.”
“My father told you the truth when he said the Shadow would come. I tell you the truth now—I have found a way to defeat it.”
Lady Samira’s unfocused eyes hardened with attention. “But?”
Dyna tried not to cringe. “But it requires that I leave North Star.”
Immediate refusal arose on the councilwoman’s scowl before she answered. “Dynalya, you are one of the few remaining in our village who can wield Essence.”
“My Essence is minimal—”
“It is useful …You are a healer. You have power … You cannot risk venturing outside the village.”
“If we could form another expedition, I would not be alone.”
“No … If you leave, you will attract an Enforcer and be taken to Magos.”
“I know the dangers, but I mustgo,” Dyna insisted.“I don’t fear the Archmage.”
“You mustalwaysfear him. The mages will stop at nothing to strip you of all your Essence until you die … Do you understand?” Lady Samira reached out for her. “Forgive me for not saving your father, but I—”
Dyna pulled away.
Lady Samira let her hand fall. “You must stay … After my passing, there will be an empty seat on the council to fill.”
She stared at the councilwoman, not sure if she understood the implication correctly.
