Act 1: Chapter 6: Part 2

I opened my eyes to a familiar ceiling, my body feeling like it had been trampled by a herd of wild horses. The warm afternoon light filtered through the window, casting long shadows across my bed. Nimroth's hands hovered over my chest, a soft green glow emanating from his palms.

"Welcome back to the land of the living." Nimroth's weathered face broke into a relieved smile. "You've been out for ten days."

Ten days? My throat felt like sandpaper. "Water," I croaked.

Nimroth helped me sit up and brought a cup to my lips. As I sipped, I noticed Thalorin and Lady Seraphine by the window, deep in conversation.

"The anchor points were completely destroyed," Seraphine's voice carried across the room. "Her arrow channeled enough power to…" She stopped mid-sentence when she saw me awake. "Ah, Aurelith."

"What do you want?" I managed between sips. The water helped, but my muscles screamed in protest with every movement.

"Since when did you two become this close?" Thalorin's eyebrows shot up as he glanced between Seraphine and me. Nimroth nodded, equally puzzled.

I took another sip of water, wincing at the lingering soreness. "Remember that debate in the village hall? There's a lot that happened after that, though honestly, I can't even remember half of it now."

"Oh, you mean when you tried to outsmart me with that clever wordplay of yours?" Seraphine's hair caught the afternoon light. "And here I thought you were just another forest advisor with a sharp tongue."

"At least I didn't parade around introducing myself as 'Lady Seraphine Lionheart' every five minutes." I mimicked her formal tone, though it came out raspier than intended.

"Says the one who drilled two holes in a devourer with arrows." Seraphine crossed her arms, a smirk playing on her lips. "Quite the humble forest advisor indeed."

Thalorin and Nimroth exchanged glances before breaking into laughter. The sound echoed through the infirmary, making me realize how much I'd missed their familiar presence during the battle.

"By the ancient trees," Nimroth wiped a tear from his eye. "I never thought I'd see the day when our Aurelith would trade barbs with a Lionheart."

Thalorin crossed the room, his forest-green robes rustling. "You pushed your magic far beyond its limits. The amount of power you channeled through that last shot..." He shook his head. "We almost lost you."

"The Devourer?" I asked.

"Dead," Seraphine confirmed. "Both cores destroyed. Your arrow struck true, though the cost was nearly too high." Her blonde hair caught the sunlight as she approached my bed. "You have my gratitude, and that of Stonehold."

Nimroth's healing magic pulsed stronger. "And you have my scolding once you're fully recovered. What were you thinking, channeling that much raw power?"

I winced, both from the memory and the sensation of his magic knitting my depleted energy pathways back together. "What can I say? You know that I am a sore loser. Besides, it was within expectations."

"Always the strategist," Thalorin sighed. "But next time, perhaps consider a strategy that doesn't involve nearly killing yourself?"

I forced a smile, though it probably looked more like a grimace. "I'll try my best, Thalorin. No promises though."

"Try your best?" Nimroth's hands stopped glowing as he pulled back. "Do you have any idea what that kind of magical drain could have done to you? Your channels were practically burned out."

Thalorin crossed his arms. "This isn't a joke, Aurelith. Another moment and we might have lost you completely. What would happen to… To everything you've worked for?"

Their words hit harder than any physical blow. The weight of their concern, mixed with disappointment, made me sink deeper into the pillows. "I'm sorry. I know I pushed too far. It won't…" I caught myself before making a promise I couldn't keep. "I'll be more careful."

My thoughts turned to the others. "How are Lira and the Radiant Dawn members? Are they…"

"All fine," Seraphine cut in, her voice gentler than I'd ever heard it. "Dorian's shield took the brunt of the blast. Isolde and Elira suffered minor injuries, but they're back on their feet. Lira's been here every day checking on you. I practically had to order her to get some rest."

"And I'm the last to wake up?" 

"Indeed." Seraphine's lips curved into a slight smile. "Though given the amount of power you channeled, it's a miracle you're awake at all."

Nimroth reached into his robe and pulled out a crystal vial filled with swirling blue-green liquid. I'd never seen a health potion that color before.

"What is that?" I eyed the strange concoction, watching the swirling patterns dance hypnotically within the crystal vial. After centuries of studying under Nimroth, I'd learned to be wary of his experimental brews.

"Something special I've been working on. It'll help restore your magical pathways." He uncorked the vial with practiced fingers, the scent of ozone and herbs immediately filling the air.

I turned my head away, pressing deeper into the pillows. "I think I'll pass." The last time he'd tested a new potion on me, I'd hiccuped sparkles for three days.

"Oh no you don't." Nimroth's hand shot out, gripping my jaw with surprising strength for a mage. His calloused fingers betrayed years of grinding herbs and wielding staff magic. Before I could protest, he poured the liquid down my throat.

The potion tasted like mint and lightning, sending tingles through my entire body from the tips of my pointed ears to my toes. I coughed and sputtered, feeling the magic surge through pathways I hadn't even realized were damaged. The sensation was both invigorating and uncomfortable, like being struck by a gentle thunderbolt.

"Was that really necessary?" I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, trying to rid myself of the lingering taste of electrified peppermint.

"Absolutely." He tucked the empty vial away, looking far too pleased with himself. The familiar smugness of a successful experiment played across his weathered features.

"How did you two get here so quickly?" I asked, trying to change the subject and divert attention from my disheveled state. My head was still spinning from the potion's effects, making it hard to focus on their faces.

Thalorin stepped forward, his robes rustling against the stone floor. "Lady Seraphine contacted us through the Echostone right after your battle. Given your condition, we left immediately." His voice carried that familiar mix of concern and exasperation I'd grown accustomed to over the decades.

"The chief insisted we come," Nimroth added, crossing his arms and fixing me with the stern look he'd perfected during our countless magic lessons. "Though I would have come anyway, knowing you'd managed to nearly kill yourself again. You haven't changed since you were my student, always pushing past your limits."

"We should let you rest now." Thalorin gestured to Nimroth, his expression softening slightly. "We have matters to discuss with Lady Seraphine." I could tell from the way they exchanged glances that whatever they needed to discuss was serious, but I was too exhausted to press the issue.

Seraphine nodded from the doorway. "I'll be waiting in the meeting room." She gave me a small wave before disappearing into the hall.

"Sleep," Nimroth ordered, pointing a stern finger at me. "We'll talk more later."

They filed out of the room, leaving me alone with the lingering taste of that strange potion and questions about what they needed to discuss.

* * *

Seraphine leaned against the wooden table, her hair catching the lamplight. "That last arrow... I've never seen anything like it. Raw power concentrated into a single shot. If it wasn't for that, Lucas and I might still be fighting that monster."

"You are far too humble. And, this, Devourer, you called it?" Nimroth stroked his chin thoughtfully, his brow furrowed in concentration. "We've only read about them in ancient texts, relics of a time long past. Two cores, you say? That is indeed alarming."

"Yes. Nasty things, indeed." Seraphine's voice carried a weight of grim experience as her fingers traced the edge of her sword, a silent testament to the battles she had fought. "They feed on life force itself. This one had already consumed dozens of demons by the time we reached it." 

Her gaze drifted momentarily, recalling the horror of that encounter. "The way it moved, the darkness surrounding it... I've fought demons before, but this was different. This was a creature born of pure hunger, an abomination that defied the natural order."

Thalorin's brow furrowed deeper, concern etched across his face. "And you're certain it came through a portal? That it crossed into our realm?"

"Without doubt," she affirmed, her tone resolute. "Which is why I'm here with another matter." Seraphine straightened her posture, the air around her thickening with purpose. "The Academy wishes to extend an invitation to Aurelith. Her talents shouldn't go to waste in these troubling times. We need every skilled hand we can muster."

Nimroth burst into laughter. "By the old gods, I never thought I'd see the day when Lady Seraphine Lionheart herself would be this impressed by our little troublemaker."

"Anyone who saw that arrow would've shit their pants," Seraphine said flatly with a straight face, her hair catching the dim light as she leaned forward. 

"Pardon my language, but there's no other way to put it. The raw potential she carries... it would be a crime to let it go untapped. 

I've seen countless archers in my time, trained the best of them at the Academy, but that level of precision combined with magical prowess?" She shook her head, genuine amazement flickering across her usually composed features. "It's something else entirely."

"And here I thought I was the only one who noticed." Nimroth's eyes twinkled. "That girl absorbed everything I taught her about wind magic in mere decades. Most take centuries to master what she grasped in years."

Thalorin's grin stretched wide, illuminating his face. "Well, it's no secret that Aurelith had some exceptional teachers," he declared, pride swelling in his voice. 

"Aelorin and Caladwen both contributed to her skills. You remember Caladwen, right? The elf who loved books so much that he earned the nickname 'the moving library' back at the Academy. or was it 'the living archive'?"

Seraphine's eyes widened in disbelief. She shifted in her seat, taken aback by the revelation. 

"Wait, Aelorin? The legendary marksman who could split an arrow at a thousand paces? And even the moving library Caladwen?" Her voice trembled slightly, caught between admiration and surprise. 

Seraphine's fingers dug into the wooden armrest, her knuckles whitening as the pieces fell into place. The two advisors she'd met in Everspring. How had she missed it? 

The legendary marksman Aelorin and Caladwen the living archive had stood right before her, yet she'd failed to recognize either of them.

"Don't look so troubled," Nimroth waved his hand, amusement dancing in his eyes. "They prefer it that way. Both use glamour magic to alter their appearance when dealing with outsiders."

"A simple spell," Thalorin added, "keeps the ambitious youngsters from hounding them for training or autographs. You'd be amazed how many try to track them down."

Seraphine released her grip on the chair, a mix of relief and embarrassment coloring her cheeks. She had prided herself on knowing the continent's finest warriors, had even sparred with many of them, yet this revelation shook her carefully maintained composure. 

"And here I thought I knew every master archer worth knowing. To think Aurelith trained directly under Aelorin..." The legendary markswoman's reputation preceded her everywhere. Stories of impossible shots and victories against overwhelming odds had spread far beyond Everspring's borders.

"The same Griffinsbane who once shot down three Griffins with a single arrow?" Marcus stepped forward from his position by the door, unable to contain his curiosity.

"The very same," Nimroth confirmed. "Though she'd rather die than admit to that feat these days. Claims it was mostly luck and favorable winds."

"And Caladwen," Seraphine shook her head in wonder. "The elf who memorized the entire restricted section of the Academy's library. The scholars still talk about him. His thesis on combat applications of ancient runic arrays and enchanted scrolls revolutionized magical warfare."

"Both of them recognized something extraordinary in Aurelith; for Caladwen, it was more about a personal rivalry, and there were other considerations too," Thalorin's tone held a sense of pride, his gaze drifting as he reminisced about the early stages of her training. 

"They rarely take students, yet they chose to teach her. Perhaps they recognized a kindred spirit, someone who could surpass even their achievements one day. Aelorin especially, who hadn't trained anyone since the Griffin Wars, saw that same fierce determination in Aurelith's eyes. And Caladwen, despite his competitive nature, couldn't deny her innate talent for absorbing knowledge, even if it wounded his pride to admit it."

Nimroth chuckled, unable to resist the moment. "Ah yes, and I suppose you thought those arrows just grew on trees?"

Thalorin joined in with a laugh. "Right? You'd think someone of your caliber would've known about our illustrious colleagues."

Seraphine attempted to muster a response but faltered, her lips twisting into a tight smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She mulled over the information, piecing together Aurelith's remarkable abilities with the mastery of her teachers.

"So that's where all the basics come from," she finally managed, her voice steadying as understanding settled within her. "They laid a firm foundation for Aurelith's potential."

Nimroth nodded appreciatively. "Exactly. With what she's already accomplished here, imagine what she'll learn at the Academy."

Thalorin leaned forward, enthusiasm brimming in his tone. "Her growth trajectory will only rise upwards there. She'll thrive among those who challenge and inspire her."

Seraphine exchanged glances with Nimroth and Thalorin before addressing them again with renewed determination. "I agree then; we must ensure Aurelith receives this opportunity." 

"I deeply appreciate your confidence in me, wise ones," Seraphine declares with reverence.

Nimroth and Thalorin exchanged glances, relief washing over their faces. Seraphine's invitation had shifted the course of their discussions from uncertainty to clarity.

"Thank you, Seraphine," Nimroth said, his voice filled with gratitude, his wizened features softening with relief. 

"Your support will make a world of difference for Aurelith. We were brainstorming ways to approach her about the Academy, spending countless hours debating the best method to present such a life-altering opportunity. We all know how sharp Aurelith's tongue is, how she can slice through pretense with surgical precision, and we're equally aware of how tedious the entry process is the endless forms, evaluations, and political maneuvering that usually accompanies such admissions. But now, with your generous offer, we can simply accept and bypass those usual hurdles." 

The old mage's eyes twinkled with amusement as he recalled some of Aurelith's more pointed exchanges with Caladwen during council meetings. Having Lady Seraphine's backing would certainly smooth what might have otherwise been a delicate conversation.

Thalorin nodded in agreement. "Yes, it eases our burden greatly. Once she wakes up tomorrow, we'll ensure she knows about this opportunity. She deserves every chance to cultivate her gifts."

Seraphine bowed her head again respectfully, acknowledging their words. "It is not only my privilege but also my responsibility to foster talent that may one day lead us to victory." She glanced toward the door, contemplating Aurelith's potential as if it held the key to their future.

Nimroth leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful smile creeping across his face. "We've all witnessed Aurelith's remarkable journey thus far. She may be a handful at times," he chuckled softly, "but her ambitions are boundless. That drive could very well change the tide of this war."

Thalorin added with conviction, "Absolutely. Her innate abilities set her apart from others. We might find ourselves in need of such talent sooner than we think."

Seraphine met their gaze steadily. "Then it's settled," she said firmly. "You can leave Aurelith's education in my hands. I will ensure that she understands the significance of this moment and what it means for Everspring and beyond."

With an understanding nod, Nimroth gestured toward the door. "We trust you completely with this task, Seraphine. If anyone can guide her on this path, it is you." 

"We look forward to seeing how she flourishes under your mentorship," Thalorin added.

Nimroth's expression shifted, a shadow of secrecy crossing his weathered features. "Lady Seraphine, you'll discover much about Aurelith during her time at the Academy. When you do..." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Whatever you learn, whatever thoughts cross your mind, keep them to yourself."

Seraphine's brow furrowed, her blonde hair catching the lamplight as she leaned forward. "What exactly do you mean by that?"

"Some truths reveal themselves in their own time," Thalorin interjected, his voice carrying a weight of hidden knowledge. "We promise you'll have answers, but only when the moment is right."

Seraphine's fingers drummed against the table's surface, her tactical mind already working to unravel this new puzzle. "You speak in riddles, both of you. Should I be concerned?"

"Not at all," Thalorin's voice softened, carrying absolute conviction. "Let me be clear on one thing. Aurelith stands firmly against the demons. Her hatred for them burns deeper than most. That much, I can assure you without reservation."

The certainty in his tone gave Seraphine pause. She studied both advisors' faces, noting the unwavering resolve in their eyes. Whatever secret they guarded, their faith in Aurelith remained absolute.

Seraphine straightened herself once more, resolve igniting within her heart as they discussed Aurelith's future potential.

"Understood. Thank you both for nurturing such an exceptional existence," she said earnestly. The weight of responsibility settled upon her shoulders like armor; she understood that guiding Aurelith would not just shape one life but influence countless others in their ongoing struggle against the demons.

As they stood together in camaraderie, a shared sense of purpose enveloped them. Hope blooming like sunlight through thick clouds on a dreary day.