From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [171]
It will be just like before, dearest, in the forest with the black knights. You must relax and let me be your eyes.
Averella could not imagine relaxing at a time like this. But I don’t remember what I did before. And didn’t I black out that time? What if that happens again before you can finish?
I need your eyes for only a moment.
Would it be better for you to use Father’s eyes?
No. He is stronger than you. Should you pass to the Veil, he can bring you back. You could not do the same for him.
Sir Rigil, Bran, and Jax stood at the mouth of the cave, swords drawn. Gren and Sir Eagan sat on either side of Averella, each clutching an arm for when she would undoubtedly fall. Noam sat to Sir Eagan’s left, positioned to catch him if he fell in an effort to retrieve Averella from the Veil.
Averella’s hands trembled.
“Do not fear, Averella.” Sir Eagan threaded his fingers with hers and squeezed. “Arman will keep you safe.”
“Thank you, Father. I know I have nothing to fear with you guarding me.”
Are you ready, dearest?
Yes, Mother.
Relax, then, and let me step through you.
Averella lowered the shields around her mind. She focused on the largest wolf. It was simply sitting on the ground, watching, tongue lagging from its mouth. Sounds magnified in her ears now: the padding of the pacing wolves, the crackling fire, the clicking from trees, her father’s breathing.
She felt nothing physical and had no way of knowing if her mother had begun, until the wolf yelped and collapsed. Something inside told her she should rebuild the walls around her mind, but she forced herself to ignore the impulse, to leave her walls down, her mind unguarded.
One of the pacing wolves tripped and skidded to a stop. The other stopped to sniff at his companion and whimpered. As the third wolf fell, an overwhelming peace filled Averella. At first she thought Sir Eagan had manipulated her emotions, but then her soul left her body as subtly as a flutter in her stomach.
She was floating up through the cave’s ceiling, through dark rock that seemed endless, until a glimmer of lights shone in the distance. Noiz, perhaps? It looked closer than ever. She willed herself to float toward the lights, but something snagged her hand. Turning back, she saw Sir Eagan’s transparent body floating beside her.
You must not leave us, Averella. We would like to reach Noiz as a group, and you with your body and soul as one.
Averella took one last longing look at the lights of Noiz and allowed her father to pull her back to the cave.
Your mother knows how to storm better than a thundercloud.
Mother. Veil warrior. Averella wanted to speak with her, but it would have to wait. Her weakness was pulling her toward sleep.
When she woke, Jax was carrying her through the forest. Branches snapped under his heavy footsteps. She could see Peripaso and Sir Rigil before them, moving down the trail. Light danced over the trees from Peripaso’s torch.
Averella clutched Jax’s shirt.
He glanced down on her. “Can you stand, Vrell?”
She looked up into his eyes and nodded. He set her on her feet, but kept a hand on her shoulder. He was so much taller, she felt like a babe with her father as she walked beside him.
They saw no sign of another wolf on the rest of their journey. The lights of Noiz became visible long before soldiers stopped them at the gate on the outskirts of the city. Sir Eagan declared himself, and the soldiers escorted their party through the army’s tents, past a small village, and up a steep trail.
Averella had never visited Noiz, but now she remembered having heard stories of the kings who had spent time amongst the clouds. There were no clouds tonight. The stronghold glimmered on the mountain above. She wished she could see the land, for it was said that the view from Paniyn Gal was a breathtaking sight.
Perhaps another day. Once Darkness was gone forever.
This thought brought Achan’s face to