“Of course,” I said.
“I’ll stand guard,” Xander said.
He turned, blocking the path on one side, while Daegal did the same on the other. Maiela and Kysha moved back, leaving Ryllae and me standing in front of the bumpy stone wall.
The Death Elf inhaled sharply, murmuring something inaudible under her breath, before opening her palm. Moments later, the red ribbons she’d been collecting around herself left her hands, crawling over the wall and poking at the rocks, seeking a soft spot.
The beast roared again, and the princess suck in a breath.
“Here.” Her voice wavered. “I think.”
“There’s no time for doubt, Ryllae,” I said, hoping my harsh tone would be helpful and not break her in half. “This is our only hope. Do it.”
Her throat trembled as she nodded, closing her fists. The crimson ribbons dove into the rocks, disappearing from sight. For a moment, nothing happened. Silence was thick as we waited. My heart pounded, but I refused to breathe.
Please work, I prayed.
A crack sounded. A fissure appeared. Ryllae twisted her fist, and a red web like that of a spider burst through the stone. The mountain groaned.
“It’s working,” she said excitedly.
“Keep going,” Xander urged. “I can hear the beast. We don’t have much time.”
Taking his warning to heart, I dropped to my knees and placed my hands on the ground. Shoving as much magic into the land as I could, I directed it through the mountain. The shale rumbled and the rough stones beneath our feet cracked. I sent even more magic, until the air thrummed with power. Ryllae continued to work above me.
Plinking sounds filled my ears. Small pebbles fell from the roof, but I ignored them.
Shutting my eyes, I searched through the land until I found what I was looking for. An ancient tree, thousands of years old, stood in the forest beyond Shadowfell Mountain. Pushing my magic to it, I called out to it.
The tree turned to me, its roots stretching out in my direction.Greetings, High Lady of Life.
My lips twitched as I extended a magical hand, urging them forward.Come. Grow. Find a new home.
A pause, then the ground shook. The tremors were worse than before, and I gasped. The three-headed beast bellowed once again, and I lifted my hands..
“It’s working!” Ryllae yelled.
I sent more green ribbons towards her, the Death and Earth magic intertwining in a beautiful dance. The rocky wall in front of us was more than half gone, and a sliver of light was visible through the cracks.
A horrible, punishing shriek came from the creature.
My heart quickened, and I pulled up as much power as I could, slamming my hands on the rocks and shoving my power into the land.
Now!I shouted to the earth.
Roots burst forth from the ground. They ran along the walls, inching into the cracks Ryllae had made. The mountain groaned and rumbled around us, but the ancient tree held firm.
The Death Elf gathered a red sphere in her hands. “Stand back,” she warned.
She did not have to tell me twice. I knew the pain of that magic more than most. My back clenched as memories of High King Edgar and his beloved whip ran through my mind.
Anger pulsed through the bond.
He’s dead, Sunshine, Xander reminded me, knowing instantly where my mind had gone.
I forced myself to breathe, just as Ryllae twisted her hands. Molding the magic into a sphere, she launched it into the hole. The moment it made contact with the stone, red light exploded.
Maiela and Kysha screamed. The ground shook. Daegal yelled. Rocks fell from the roof, raining stones of varying sizes all around. My heart squeezed, and I prayed to Thelrena for safety. Xander bent, pulling me into his arms as he curled his body over mine. The mountain trembled, and the beast roared.