Sairana let out a sigh. “Good. Then, no, you couldn't have hurt it.”
“But we could have if we had touched it?” I pressed.
“Normally, I'd say no, but with the magic dying and now your report of black streaks within the light, I can only conclude thatsomethinghas hurt the magic mantle. I just can't imagine what that could be.”
“Magic mantle,” I murmured. “That's a good name for it.”
“Yes. And if it is sick or injured, it would indeed affect and infect Danu itself.”
“I believe only the Earth magic has been infected so far.”
“You are correct. Kolltean informed us that Earth's heart is wounded but if the mantle is showing signs of decay, that wound likely originated from the mantle itself.”
“So, each element has a heart and the hearts are connected to the mantle?”
“The hearts are the individual repositories created by the Danutians to hold elemental magic. Each element must have a home where it can be alone, separate from the other elements. This allows it to stay pure and strong. But it's not a prison, it's a sanctuary. The elemental magic flows from each heart and into the mantle like blood pumped into a body. But as with any heart, it's a two-way flow. The magic pumps out, into the mantle, up into Danu, out into the Danutians, and then back the way it came, reviving all during its journey. Once it's back in the heart, the magic uses the energy received from the Danutians to refresh itself like oxygen filling blood and then start the cycle once more. Something damaged the Earth magic—I don't know how—but if the mantle shows signs of sickness it means that the wound went deep enough to touch the mantle and then that injury flowed back to the Heart of Earth. You must find the heart and heal it, small goddess.”
“Heal it how?”
“How do you heal a person?” Sairana countered.
“It depends on what ails them.”
“Then diagnose the heart as you would a person. Use your magic and that of your fused lovers. Together, you have the power to do miraculous things.”
“Where do I find the Heart of Earth?”
Sairana lowered her head and closed her eyes. After a few moments, she opened them and said, “It lies in Raeventar. Go there when you leave me. Return to the place where you met the Bargest. He will be waiting to guide you.”
“Are you speaking with Kolltean?” I asked eagerly.
“Yes.”
“Does he know what's wrong with the Heart of Earth?”
“He only knows that it's hurt.” Sairana shook her massive head. “It is up to you to find that injury. But first, as I said, you must fortify Fire's heart. Take the path to the heart and cast my ember into it.”
“The Ember?” My hand went to my throat.
“I know I gave it to you, but Danu needs it now, small goddess. It could mean the difference between destruction and survival.”
“I wasn't protesting,” I assured her. “Just surprised that tossing it into a heart could have an effect.”
“The Ember is condensed fire magic—mymagic,” Sairana explained. “It is kin to the elemental magic here but not of it. Throwing it into the heart will release goddess magic and shield the heart from damage as it shields you from damage. It will be a temporary solution but I believe it's necessary.”
Sairana turned her head toward the tunnel and blew a stream of fire down it. A golden glow remained even after her fire died out—more torches, I assumed.
“Very well.” I started for the tunnel.
Everan caught my hand. “You realize that I caught only half of that conversation?”
“I'll explain it as we go.” I started to pull him along with me.
The knights made as if to follow us, but Sairana slid into their path and faced them down.
“Only the Fire Royals,” she hissed.
“That much I understood,” Everan said before I could translate. He called around the mammoth scaled body to his knights, “Stay here. We'll be back shortly.”
