Lay to Rest by Mavvy Claire

Author:Mavvy Claire
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bard Girl Press
Published: 2024-08-08T00:00:00+00:00

Five

The day was waning, the sun dipping neatly into the west, sending a splash of colors across lazy clouds. Ailís had spent the last day and a half going over every minute detail.

She donned her cloak of jet black feathers– a gift from the Bonemother herself– and pulled the hood over her hair. Double checking the pouches at her hips, she practiced the steps one by one. This was not a task she could fail. Lucianne indicated her position at the westernmost palisade, where she would be starting her ward rounds, checking every scrying eye for malfunctions. These were the emperor’s first line of defense, and thus needed constant upkeep.

Ailís looked to Hyacinth, who watched her with a frown. Adjusting her belt, she opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again; what would she be able to say now?

“It’s almost time,” Hyacinth said, breaking the silence. She approached Ailís, moving as if she was shoring up her cloak. The feathers rustled with her movement, her ability to affect corporeal objects ever stronger as the days led on. Before long, she might actually be able to move items on her own, Ailís thought, before the realization set in. She would be sent off before that.

“Yes,” Ailís replied with a shiver. “Be back as soon as I can.”

***

The heaths were quiet as she passed through the flatlands, the scent of lavender clinging to her skirt. The moon was hidden high in the sky, its darkened face barely a ring against a celestial backdrop. Ailís’ heart pounded through her being as she stole through the night.

The outer banks of the palace were not far off now.

Torches glowed at the perimeter of the path, a bit of movement here and there speckled by firelight. Crouching, she carefully pulled the herbs from her pouches, counting them out softly against her lap as she began chanting her incantation. The words welled up in her throat, working to stay a whisper, and as she felt the magick take hold in the roots and herbs, she shoved them into her mouth.

Her figure faded against the cool, damp grass.

She began running, closing the distance between the heath and the third torch. A figure lingered there, swathed in blue– Ailís hoped it would be Lucianne as agreed. She also hoped it wasn’t a trap; the thought had crossed her mind many a time, but she held faith that she’d either assist her friend in reclaiming her life, or...

Well, she’d rather not die trying, but she would give them hell if it came down to that.

As she closed in on the figure, it seemed to conjure something out of thin air; an orb, at first pulsing with blue light, that suddenly had all its magic pulled away. The figure’s tattoos glowed in response in the darkness.

Ailís made a knick knick knick noise with her tongue– their agreed upon signal.

The figure clucked in reply. Thank goodness. Ailís scurried up to Lucianne, tugging at the bottom of her cloak. At once, Lucianne began her march towards the palace, some 50 feet beyond.

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