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He shrugged.
“That’s not a reply.”
“Because I don’t know exactly what to expect. There are some that think there is a sickness in the land causing the monsters to grow.”
“What do you think?”
“I think their theory is only partially correct. The monsters are abnormal, but magic is the reason.”
“Meaning someone is casting spells?” I wrinkled my nose as I said it aloud.
“Someone or something. Whatever the case, we will vanquish it.”
“Your optimism is annoying,” I grumbled.
“I would have called it sense of superiority because I am too great a king to die ignobly underground.”
I couldn’t help but snort. “At least you don’t pretend to be modest.”
“Modesty is for those who don’t recognize their own greatness.”
He reached for my hand, and his fingers laced with mine. I tingled at his touch, but that small pleasure couldn’t counter the flip side.
I hated walking.
Within the hour, my feet hated me. By the end of that first day, they wanted to mutiny. On the second, I wanted to collapse on the floor and give up. By the third, I prepared to give him my goodbye speech when he murmured, “The junction is ahead.”
My eyes widened, and I paid attention. Within the next handful of paces, our tunnel showed not only one large intersecting branch but also a narrower tunnel barricaded with a grill. As Daksh raised his hand, symbols illuminated over each of the tunnel openings. The main ones held a series of dots. The one barred to us held the familiar zigzag inside a circle. Exit. Daksh went for it, and I tucked my hands behind my back lest I clap them in glee. I would have loved to get out of the tunnels.
He ran his hands over the barrier, a door comprised of metal bars, tightly welded so that I couldn’t have fit my hand through. The lock on it lacked a key. That didn’t stop Daksh. He placed his hand against it and a now familiar glow illuminated everything he touched. I heard the grinding of metal turning.
Click.
The door swung with a rusty creak.
“After you.” Daksh swept me a courtly bow. I entered the side tunnel.Clang.Daksh shut the door behind us and locked it again.
“Will that actually stop anything?” I asked.
“Probably not, but it will make noise.”
“So a warning system?” I noted.
“Every second counts.”
A good point, which was why a few feet away, I crouched and placed a sphere on the floor. I’d already prayed over it. The sleeping potion should be active. If something broke the glass and inhaled it, it might give us a bit more time.
I placed my hand on the sphere and closed my eyes.“Goddess, make this potion potent. Let those who would harm me sleep if they come in contact. Make it as strong as you can.”I prayed hard, and then I kept going. Thinking. Putting intent into the globe. I’d have sworn my hands heated. I opened my eyes and saw a faint glow.
Startled, I glanced at the King. He leaned against a wall, arms crossed, waiting. No nimbus anywhere on him.
It came from me. Or it had. The lack of thought had let the light go out, yet I still felt a pulse coming from the potion bomb.
Magic. And I had it. It led to me thinking of Qynn. She must have it too given how she made the walls light up.
I rose and had to ask, “Does all magic glow?”
“Yes, but not everyone can see it. Only those sensitive will. I am guessing since you asked, you perceive when someone is using the power.”
