“It means,” Rionan began, remaining calm and measured amongst Korva’s jittering and Thallax’s general-like presence. “To use the power within the stone, I must unlock it and fuse with it. In essence, this means absorbing the power so that it becomes part of me, and part of my own. From there, it can flow into Xanthia along with my own power, and I can use it fully. Korva is suggesting that to absorb it will not be a quick process.”
“Is there a way to speed it up? You’re the most powerful in our territory, Rionan,” Thallax asked, throwing his arms wide. “If anyone can get it done quickly, then it is you.”
“This is no ordinary artefact or relic that we discuss, Thallax,” Rionan reminded his friend, turning to him, a look of sincerity on his face. Ulreah set the books down quietly, looking between Thallax and Rionan. “This is an artefact of astounding levels of power – the likes of which Xanthia has likely not seen since the day it was created. So powerful that it was hidden away and wiped from the memory of all Xanthians. This will not be an easy task, and if it must take days, then it must take days.”
“We may not have days,” Thallax continued, his voice becoming louder with each word that left his mouth. “You know as well as I, Rionan, that your night terrors are worsening. How long will it take before the bindings you keep on your power snap, and Rannirr comes for you? Comes for us all? Or, should you manage to keep your power contained, how long before Xanthia begins to wither and die?”
Alianna expected Rionan to be angry, as he had been a few days before, with Korva. She expected his temper to flare. She did not expect him to look saddened by his friends’ questions. To stand before them as a man half-defeated. A Lord, desperately trying to hold on to his territory and the safety of those who relied on him. Seeing his shoulders sag before her made part of her crumble.
It was then she noticed Ulreah looking at her, his head cocked to the side. Like he alone had noticed the idea that had crossed her mind mere moments before, but she had not dared to vocalise or acknowledge.
She locked eyes with the Stormbringer for a few moments and considered everything she had heard already. How much she knew about Xanthia, how the power within the network here worked, the Wells, and what would happen to any physical matter that came into contact with the power within a Well itself.
“I have an idea,” she said in a small voice. Alianna cleared her throat, raising her chin, trying her best to sound confident and self-assured. She looked from Ulreah to Thallax, to adumbstruck Korva, and finally to Rionan, whose eyes were on her. Warm. Caring. Full of hope. “I have an idea.”
***************
“Absolutely not,” said Rionan, rising from his seat and pacing across the tent. Back, forth. Back, forth. His face was screwed up in conflict, and his feet beat the ground beneath them so violently that Alianna was amazed he had not worn a path where he moved.
Thallax said nothing.
Neither did Korva.
Or Ulreah.
They all waited for Rionan to finish his pacing, his thinking, not daring to prod at the anger that they knew was simmering beneath the surface.
Alianna knew her plan could be considered reckless. It would put her in danger. She knew that was not something that Rionan wanted to do. But her plan made sense. From the looks being shared between Thallax, Ulreah, and Korva, she thought that they knew this, too.
“I want to help, Rionan - ” Alianna began, rising to her feet and moving towards him. Rionan span to her, his face wild with anguish at the choice being put before him.
“You can help me by not putting yourself in the war path of our enemy. You are not like us, Ali. You are so much more vulnerable. So much more fragile. I could not go on if anything happened to you. I will not allow you to be put in harm's way, at the centre of all of this.” Rionan threw the words out between them wildly, his eyes glazing, and Alianna realised the weight of what he was saying. He knew that to risk a more drawn-out process could jeopardise everything, yet that was what he seemed willing to do rather than see her in danger.
Alianna stilled before him. Her breathing even, heart beat calm. Voice steady. “I came here to help, Rionan. You knowthis will work. Let me help you. Let me help your friends and your realm.”
She stepped up to him, taking his hand and placing it on her chest, so that he could feel the steadiness of her heartbeat. She knew he would not be able to detect any trace of uncertainty in her emotions. Alianna kept her eyes locked on Rionan’s, now realising how much he shuddered with each breath.
Neither of them said anything as his eyes searched her own. His mouth moved, but he said no words.
Cutting through the tension in the room, Ulreah spoke, his voice as collected as it had been since the day Alianna had met him.
“I will ensure that she is protected, My Lord. I will stay with her and defend her from the skies. You have my word – if it is the last thing that I do, I will guard Alianna.”
Rionan’s heart was raging in his chest. Alianna did not need to reach out to him to know this. His eyes moved slowly to where Ulreah stood, a mask of horror on his face at the conversation they were having.
Alianna didn’t choose to say out loud that the fact Rionan had not objected again meant he knew this plan held merit. It could work. It would be faster than Korva’s suggestion and reduce many risks.
It did also add a significant element of risk to one person: Alianna.
Thallax stepped up beside Ulreah, wearing an expression of sorrow and comfort at his friend’s visible despair.
“Would you like some time to think, Rionan? To speak with Alianna alone?”
Rionan closed his mouth, which until this point had hung open. Slowly, he drew his chin downwards, in an unsteady nod. Without further discussion, Korva, Thallax, and Ulreah exited the tent.
Rionan had simply sat and stared at Alianna while he contemplated everything that she had suggested.
Alianna had understood what Korva was suggesting. That Rionan slowly drew out the power held within the stone. The depths of the artefact’s power were so great that this could have taken days. Days which would come to an end – and Rionan’s night terrors would resume. It was unclear how long he could maintain such a hold on his power, and this may become more complicated if his power grew. To maintain his hold on the power of one Lord was challenging for him. To maintain a hold on the power of up to four? A dangerous task.
