A Shimmer of Magic: the Crystal Mages Trilogy Book 1 by Jane Shand

Author:Jane Shand [Shand, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jane Shand
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

ELIN stared at Sten, her heart thumped behind her ribs, and her mind whirled. You will save us all, Sten had said. How was she supposed to do that? Sourness rose into the back of her throat. A wave of anger followed it. How dare her parents abandon her and land this on her! Her hands clenched, and her eyes prickled.

“What happened to my parents?” she asked, her voice as dry as if she had swallowed ash.

Sten looked across at her again. “One of the illnesses that swept our land. It took a great many lives. They might have remained safe if they hadn’t insisted on doing what they could to help. Our people had grown accustomed to using magic to fend off illnesses; we had no natural protection once it was gone.”

Elin nodded. The anger washed away and left her numb. It was all too much. She couldn’t summon any anger at her parents.

“There is magic here. It is sluggish but strong. Are you saying that none of you can access it, even now?”

Sten’s head drooped down. “Whatever we did with our magic harvesting machine or our wanton waste of the power, we damaged ourselves. I can vaguely sense the energy, but I cannot reach it.” Sten scrubbed a hand over his face. “I miss it,” he murmured.

“Do you know what they left for me at this Sirash?”

“Not really. It is a place where the magic of the land was strongest. There is a kind of temple there that we made pilgrimages to, though under Helvig, that was frowned on. He didn’t believe we should treat magic with such reverence. It was a tool for us to wield, not some gift from the Goddess.” Sten’s tone was bitter. Maybe considering if they had continued with that way of thinking, they would still have magic.

“The Keepers probably remained there to protect all the knowledge. It was also where ancient artefacts were stored to keep them safe – relics from ages past that no one understood anymore Or things that had been drained or broken. Yrsa and Ulf took something there they thought would somehow help Ferranzia. I don’t know whether it was meant to stop Helvig, or to simply return magic. Those of us that Yrsa and Ulf trusted have long speculated on its nature. Some think it is some kind of weapon. Though, if that were so, you would have needed to use it years ago, when there was still time to stop Helvig.” Sten’s smile was sad.

“It could still be a weapon,” Tunston mused. “A side effect could be opening your way to the Source once more. Or maybe the other way around.” He shrugged.

Elin eyed him distrustfully. A strange glint in his eyes sent cold fingers along her skin.

“I assume you have a map of the way to this Sirash?” Tunston demanded as he stared at the faded maps on the walls.

“Oh. Yes, of course.” Sten hauled himself out of his chair and scurried out of the room altogether.

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