Page 123 of The Starlight Savior

“And so we only have her.” He twirled the small dagger in his hand, the very one that sliced through Saige’s skin. His eyes met hers, cold and empty.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“How unfortunate.” The king sighed. “And we are still unsure if she has Sydera’s bloodline? Or if there are other ancient-wielders in Opela?”

“We are,” Saige said from her side of the table. The council turned toward her, the room growing silent.

“I granted you permission to join the council, not speak.”

“And yet you ask questions about me and my experiences and you don’t want direct and honest answers?”

“W-We only know that her magic is an ancient form. A bloodline of the ancestors. We cannot simply test for Sydera’s magic; it is impossible.” Tobin’s eyes widened at Saige. She kept her chin up, gaze strong. She was no object. No pet, asset, or weapon that could be spoken about as if she wasn’t present.

“You’re expected to keep practicing and keep being tested,” King Vospella said, turning to Tobin. “You’ll need to update her training.”

“I’d like to request Lady Nerestel’s training to be officially given to me,” Conor said.

The king’s court looked towards him.

King Vospella’s brow raised. “You’re taking your assignment quite seriously.”

“Prior to her full moon trials, I spent time training and assessing Saige’s magic. Tobin focuses on mastery of basic elemental magic. Saige isn’t being trained for such a thing. Given my proximity, I think I’d be the best fit.”

King Vospella and General Zathos exchanged a curt look. General Zathos shrugged. “And if I need you elsewhere in Etrane?”

“I’m sure Saige will be just fine switching back to Tobin for a handful of days.”

“Fine”—the king waved—“but your priority is still Etrane and your father’s orders.”

The topic of Saige and her magic dropped quickly as the court returned to the round of updates.

Master of Coin discussed the treasury and budget, including how they might sway Nasala to join their fight. The thin man with pale skin suggested offering a chunk of their crops in order to ensure an alliance between Etrane and Nasala before the water kingdom made any leaps. But another warlock, golden skin darker than the rest, spoke of food needing to be rationed due to half of Etrane’s crops already being swallowed.

A witch whom Saige recognized as Niana’s mother requested private counsel from the king and the general. “My daughter reports back with great news.” She referenced Mayla lingering in the shadows.

Saige was disappointed to understand minimal of what she heard. Her ears perked for any information on the mist, but they moved past it quickly, focusing on keeping the storm kingdom afloat.

Before Saige knew it, King Vospella rose with a scrape of his chair, signaling the end of Saige’s first anticlimactic council meeting.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Saige’s mornings were no longer spent training or studying, but in the chair across from King Vospella. The councilroom became more empty with each day though. The wielders of Etrane’s court often left to fulfill their duties, each designated to a specific part of maintaining armies, resources, and protective barriers.

One of the warlocks struck a deal with Tiranos, allowing one wielder to represent the storm kingdom to negotiate for peace and resources. To Saige’s dismay, Niana was chosen. Her ice magic was seen as a powerful asset, almost equal to full blooded water-wielders.

Markus and Sebastien were sent back up north with treaties and training awaiting the territories. Saige knew little about the subset of Etrane. Even when she asked Conor, he reminded her it wasn’t part of her training. But she was intrigued by the foreign clans. They never integrated with the modern Etrane, choosing to live in the snow-capped peaks and valleys.

When the sun lowered, Conor and Saige stretched through the forest where his private lagoon and cave awaited. The stars energized Saige, but she was no closer to figuring out how to use her power against the mist. Instead, their training felt like Saige was preparing for battle, building protective walls and throwing bursts of starlight that consumed anything in sight.

But he was inevitably sent away too, main duties taking priority. Conor patrolled borders, aided in transported refugees, and documented the approaching mist.

Not even Maester Tobin could continue Saige’s training. He too was sent across Opela, searching for any knowledge on Sydera’s magic that could assist them.

Loneliness lodged in Saige’s chest like a thorn. The only thing she had to look forward to was the council meetings, the only moments where she felt truly useful. But impatience wore on her. Despite her connection with the stars strengthening, she needed to practice on something real. She needed to use her power against the mist.

Today, only seven of them sat around the table, leaving the other seats empty. King and Queen Vospella, General Zathos, the king’s hand, Eva, Carlena, and Saige.

As usual, King Vospella requested updates. She found herself straightening in her chair at General Zathos’s positive news surrounding his sons. Conor was successful in evacuating another village.