She heard Veda’s protest as the owlcat took off, running to the far end of the compound and leaping the fallen wall.Her wings beat as she soared over it, taking Veda out of the dangerous area.
Daya!Veda cried sharply.
Let me handle this part, Veda.Then you can rejoin me.
Easy nestling, it is for her to do,Ereven counseled.We share in the work that must be done.
With the threat of physical harm to Veda gone, Daya could work without restraint.Reconnecting with the mountain, she sent out her magic, targeting the foundational stones.She shoved and pushed with her magic, pulling the old stones down one by one.
All or nothing.
Daya stumbled and fell as waves of energy ran through the earth beneath her feet.Imaging a tunnel through the earth, she directed the energy away from the town.They’d still feel the repercussions, as if an earthquake were occurring, but it wouldn’t bury them.
Rising, she moved toward the center of the fortress, out of the path of disintegrating stone.The remaining walls of the keep crumbled and fell, disappearing into the earth’s churning ground.
Looking at the perimeter, she suddenly knew what she wanted to do.A new plan formed in her mind.
Guard.She pressed the concept into her magic as she began reforming the outer walls.Dirt, stone, and mud reshaped itself, forming into a low, solid wall about her height.
By the time she was done with one half, the quaking had calmed to more reasonable waves of energy.She looked back to see that the earth had been reshaped, a new hill replacing the previous presence of the keep.
Turning to the far side of the fortress, she continued working on the wall.The magic was warm as it consumed her, flowing out of her with a ferocity she’d never felt.She left the guardhouse and the stable alone as she focused on overturning the earth at the edges to complete the new circle of protection she’d started building.
You can come back now,she called out to Veda once she finished.
Daya grinned as she saw Neka’s gleaming white and gold coat through the veil of rain.The owlcat soared over the new wall, wings beating steadily.Veda looked completely natural, sitting upright as though she and Neka flew every day.
Neka circled around her and touched down gracefully.Veda climbed down from her back and marveled at the changes to the fortress.Which was no longer really a fortress.
“This is amazing,” Veda said.“What do we do next?”
“Regrowth.Something new.”
Veda grinned.Growing things quickly was the skill she’d been working on the most.“Can I lead this part?”
“Yes, go for it.”The earth had settled, the quaking completely stopped.It was safe enough now for Veda to do her part.
A torrent of rain fell, thunder booming as the storm continued around them.It was still directly above them.Veda didn’t look like she even noticed the fact that she was drenched.Gold hair darkened to brown was plastered to her head.
Veda used her own magic, trailing her hand along the new wall as she slowly walked the new perimeter.Vines grew up quickly from the soil, to lace over the top of the wall to the other side.
Reaching out to feel the plants and trees that naturally grew in the area, Daya drew their essence to her.Reclaim.Grow anew.Spreading it along the edges, and to cover the new hillside, she grew the Zamyran and Eldrin plants to cover the land.
Though it was only early afternoon, the sky was beginning to darken quickly.At the former entrance, she grew two trees into saplings.The focused effort of creating the two new gatekeepers drained much of her remaining energy.
Even as exhaustion began to tug at her, peace and contentedness filled her.It had been a long time since she’d worked with the earth so much.The magic flowing through her was deep and old, filling her with a renewed sense of purpose.
Her eyes found Veda across the compound.Neka followed the girl protectively as she finished her work with the vines.Intent shone from her as she began to turn her attention to the center area.
Walking in weaving circles, hands out and face lifted to the storm.If not for the mud, she would have been dancing as she moved in a pattern of steps known only to her.Magnificent amethyst flowers blossomed beneath her feet.A garden growing to surround the seal they’d started the ritual with.
Magic hovered like mist above the surface of the earth.They’d touched everywhere, growing something new to replace what had been.What the earth had reclaimed.
New growth for the future,Daya murmured.
Hope,Veda agreed.
She continued her graceful walk, arms moving around her as her energy turned to joy.Neka stayed with her, weaving through the new flowers that covered the area as she danced around Veda.
