Page 10 of Memory of Ashes

“I imagine you’re thirsty,” he said, placing it down in front of her. “I’m Vesryn.”

“Thank you,” she said, taking a long drink. She hadn’t realised how thirsty she was until the water was placed before her.

“Are you badly hurt?”

She shook her head, then winced, feeling for the injury. Dried blood had matted the hair around the wound to her scalp.

“May I?” He gestured towards her head.

When she didn’t respond, he gently moved her hair to inspect the swelling.

“What is this place?” she asked.

“The holy temple.” He drew a sharp breath. “I’ll send for a healer.”

“I thought they’d already sent for someone,” she said, now wondering what a sage was.

Vesryn sighed.

“No. In fact, we should wait until Eleandor’s finished with you before sending for the healer.”

She tucked her hands between her knees to keep them still. These people were so alien, and she hadn’t even considered what they could do to her.

They would torture her. That’s what her people would do in the same situation. They’d think she was a spy from a neighbouring land, sent to gather information.

The door swung open and admitted a tall man with white hair that fell to his waist. His eyes were such a pale blue that they appeared almost white. They were framed by long, wispy brows that rose when he turned his gaze upon her. He wore a clean grey woollen robe and stood with dignity. He could have been young or old. Like the others, his skin was unlined. Ageless.

“Eleandor, Wise One.” Vesryn bowed.

Amelia froze as the two men spoke. Eleandor walked over to her and raised his hand to her forehead without warning. Unable to move, she braced for whatever he was about to do. His eyes became brighter, his expression distant.

A vibration travelled through her body, and her vision blurred. Her mind felt like it was being pulled apart as pain seared through her skull.

Memories replayed through the haze: the Blood Sun hanging in the sky as she climbed the mountain; the symbols engraved into the stone of the cave wall; the glistening of the crystals in the mine. Then came her childhood. Her father. Her mother—except she couldn’t remember her face.

The pressure vanished, and she collapsed onto the cold, hard floor.

Something flickered across the sage’s face.

Surprise.

“You shouldn’t exist like this.”

*

She forced her heavy eyelids open. Through blurred vision, she saw a glowing orb hovering above the bed. She focused on it, trying to understand how it worked as it softly illuminated a small, windowless room.

Rising from the bed, her temples aching, she touched the side of her head, feeling for the swollen lump, but it had gone.

Mesmerised, she reached cautiously towards the orb. She had seen nothing like it before. Back home, chrysonium gave off a similar blue glow, but it had never hovered in mid-air.

As her hand made contact, a sudden shock ran through her fingers, and the orb dimmed. She snatched her hand back, inspecting her fingertips. She placed her hand back against the orb. Vibrations travelled through her body, making her bones tremble. Her teeth chattered as a high-pitched noise filled her mind.

Voices sounded in the distance. She pulled away from the orb. What was it?

She moved swiftly towards the door. She tested the handle and paused when the door opened smoothly. Two men stood on the other side, armed with weapons, blocking the exit. They turned towards her.

“Ah, you’re awake,” Vesryn called as he approached along the hallway. “How do you feel?” He paused, studying her intently.