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“What do you mean?” Claire asked, taking a closer look at the plants. Their dark green color made them almost blend in with the ground. The leaves were the size of Claire’s hand and each plant seemed to have seven mature leaves sprouting from a short stem. She knelt to get a closer look.
“That’s the Fortis Viridis plant,” Greta said. “As I’m sure you learned in your Herbology class, most plants have multiple uses and the Fortis plant is no different. Brewed correctly, its leaves can make even the sickest person healthier.”
“Can’t most plants do that?” Claire wrinkled her brow unsure of what was so special about this plant still. There were many healing potions that involved plants.
“Yes but the Fortis plant is different. It can make even the sickest person on death’s door healthier. Healthier to a point where other potions can begin work again. It is an essential ingredient in any witch’s workshop.”
“Couldn’t they just use healing magic?” Claire asked. Desmond typically used healing magic over potions.
Greta shook her head. “Healing magic is rare in witches. Only a few have it. Most rely on potions.”
Claire smiled to herself. Of course Desmond would be among the rare ones to have healing magic. That thought sparked another one and Claire frowned. “But I can use healing magic and I’m not a witch?”
Greta looked thoughtful. “Winona used plants and potions but it’s possible that your father Eric had healing magic. Fae are the only other race with that inherent magic as well as the only race to have a metal affinity.”
Claire filed that tidbit of information away without dwelling on thoughts of her parents. “So it can bring people back from the verge of death?”
“Yes and that allows other potions to work to actually treat whatever the person has. Most potions won’t do much if the person is that close to death. It became nicknamed the Death plant in the markets before trade ended.”
“They feel powerful,” Claire noted, cupping her hands around the leaves. The Death plant was an odd name for a plant that gave life.
“They are, and when used correctly they can bring a lot of good to the people.”
“And when used incorrectly?”
Claire looked up at Greta, fingers still cupped around one of the leaves. The Energy coming off this single leaf was like nothing Claire had ever felt before. It was crisp and fresh and if Claire had to guess what life felt like it would feel like this plant right here. It was intoxicating.
“It has to be used sparingly. Usually in only one dose and then other plants or potions must be used.”
“Why only one dose?”
“Because patients have become addicted to it easily and then it’s the only thing that keeps them alive. It becomes a different kind of death for them then, because their bodies can’t handle more of it. The Energy will overload them from the inside out.”
Claire pulled her fingers back and Greta barked out a laugh. “Don’t worry, young princess, it only works if you ingest the plant.”
Claire blushed letting out a nervous laugh. “With the amount of Energy pouring off a single leaf of this plant, it wouldn’t surprise me if I screwed it up and pulled it into myself instead.”
Greta cocked her head giving a thoughtful nod. “Best not to test it. I promised your men you would make it out of this without a scratch.”
Claire nodded as she dropped her eyes to study the plant again. Its addictive qualities were familiar. Where had she heard that before? Her eyes widened as the pieces came together, her magic dancing in her center.
“Greta?”
“What is it?”
“You said that the Fortis plant overloaded a person with Energy. But what if the Energy was being expended somehow?”
Greta frowned, her eyebrows furrowed as she thought. “Tell me more. Expended how?”
Claire hesitated. What if she was wrong? But it was the only thing that made sense. “Dark magic,” she whispered. “If they are expending the Energy by using dark magic then the excess Energy could be balanced out.” Prolonged use of dark magic could kill a magic user as Desmond had told her, but the excess Energy from the Fortis plant could provide a weird balance.
Greta was silent and Claire looked up from the plant. The old Elf’s face was creased into a deep frown. “In theory,” Greta finally said, “that push and pull would balance out. But it would still be incredibly dangerous. You would have to have the exact balance of consuming the plant and expending the Energy.”
“But it could be done?”
“Only by someone desperate.” Her eyes sharpened. “Have you told Toan about this?”
Claire shook her head. She had just figured it out herself. Greta nodded. “Tell him tonight. Most of our Fortis plants are protected in warded gardens but nothing is foolproof. Especially not with dark magic.”
