From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [46]
So that’s possible then? I could get back on my own?
Certainly. As long as you have not passed through one of the two gates, you can will yourself to move.
And if I cannot? Like before when I was drifting?
You merely require practice, Your Highness. But if you could not, Sir Shung could come for you, once he’s trained.
And pull me as you have done?
As long as he knew where to find you, which is why it is essential to keep in contact with him, maybe even let him watch through you so he knows your location.
Achan thought again to the day he had found himself drifting. If he didn’t know where I was, how would he know where to look?
It is difficult. When a person is stormed, I message them first. If they have lost their memory, I might look where I knew they last were and hope their mind has not drifted far. Touching their physical body would help. And if I could not do that, I would hold something that belongs to them.
Before, when I was drifting, what if you had not come? Could I have gotten back on my own?
Without a partner’s aid, it can be difficult. Only Arman could help you then. You would be completely at His mercy.
Do you have a partner now? Like I have Shung?
I do. Anillo’s connection to my mind anchors me in Er’Rets. Without that connection, I might drift as you did.
Achan recalled the time he had gone into the Veil to help Gren when the Carmine peasants attacked her. The knights who had been with his body had thrown water on his head to wake him. Shung doesn’t have to enter the Veil to bring me back.
Usually, all it takes is a shake of your shoulder. If he cannot wake you, he can message you. But if you were stormed, your memory would be altered. And it would be difficult for Sir Shung to find your location.
I see. Achan’s thoughts tumbled until one came to the surface. How is it you can touch me now? For every time I’ve been in the Veil, I drift through people and solid objects.
The rules of nature are different in the Veil. We can touch each other, but we cannot touch objects or people in the physical world. That is why we passed through the roof. Now, you are to take us back, Your Highness. Concentrate and use your connection with Sir Shung to draw strength.
Achan did as she asked. He pulled Duchess Amal by the hand down toward the roof. He smiled. It was working. They passed through several rooms until they were floating in his chamber. Anillo and Mathias were talking over by the armoire. Shung stood at the foot of his bed.
Now take us back to our minds, Your Highness.
How?
Simply return.
Achan opened his eyes and found himself in bed. Something heavy pressed down on his legs. He glanced down and saw Duchess Amal’s limp body lying across the foot of his bed, one arm draped across her waist.
“Shung! What has happened to the duchess?”
“She went limp. But Shung did not let her fall.”
All is well, men. Do not fret. Duchess Amal’s voice boomed in Achan’s mind. I chose not to return to my body, for I wanted you to understand, Your Highness, that you cannot force me back. Only I can make that choice.
But I could force you out by storming? Achan asked.
Not exactly. Storming is a trick. It’s all about making the other person lower their guard enough so you can pull their mind away from their body the same way you pulled me to this room. If you keep your shields up, you can resist.
The door opened and Sir Eagan entered.
Duchess Amal’s body shifted. She sat up, her delicate complexion tinged pink. She smoothed her hair, stood, and shook out her wrinkled skirt. “That is enough lesson for today. Next you will learn how to storm in battle.”
Achan wanted to ask when she would return—he couldn’t wait to learn how to be a Veil warrior—but Duchess Amal walked to the door and curtsied. “Good day, Your Majesty. Sir Shung.” She met Sir Eagan’s gaze and her voice softened. “Sir Eagan.” And she left.
Sir Eagan approached Achan’s bedside. “I am pleased to see you awake, Your Highness. How