THE RAIN fell hard. It was sticky as it hit Saka’s skin—blood magic, more than he’d ever felt in his life. The effect was instantaneous. Plants grew as he watched. The scale of the magic returning to Arlyxia thrilled and terrified him. How many humans had died to feed this rebalancing? Had the warlocks attacked? He used the magic flowing freely to push his mind through the telestones.
He didn’t reach wide as he had the very first time he tried, when he injured himself in the process. With each attempt he went in a set direction, only spreading wide when he’d almost reached the end of his ability.
Most of his attempts returned nothing.
The one tribe he had reached had told him they wanted nothing to do with humans. If demons had never worked with humans, perhaps none of this would’ve happened. But magic would’ve still moved between worlds, and humans would’ve still dabbled, and an unskilled user could have done much damage.
Today there was someone with him, but not making contact. It didn’t feel like Iktan, though Saka occasionally felt him there, silently giving strength to Saka’s attempt. If he pushed a little further, maybe the other mage he could feel would be able to make contact.
Wek made a sound of disapproval that he ignored. He knew when to stop, and he was almost at that limit.
The mage made the connection just before Saka was about to give up, but it was a fragile thing. I have felt you over several days.
I am seeking wisdom from other tribes about Arlyxia and what is to be done.
Nothing for us. The mage opened her mind, and Saka saw the bodies of the tribe. Demons with metallic gold skin, orange scales, and wings so delicate they were almost transparent… lay in the sand for the scavengers. Not enough magic for us to draw up water. No help to come. The people of the grasses are gone. She smiled hollowly, her hunger making her eyes too big in her face. Though there have been no grasses for my lifetime.
Panic gripped him, and he almost lost the connection. I will send help.
It will be too late. I have waited for you to get close, so someone would know what became of us.
Where are you?
She moved and her attention wavered. Then he saw what she was seeing—a map of Demonside like Miniti had. It showed water and meeting points, but it seemed to cover a bigger area. This was made by our travelers. Humans we once worked with before they stopped coming. We had a network of stones too before we folded in on ourselves and stopped speaking to other tribes. We shouldn’t have stopped. That was our mistake, and it has cost us dearly.
Saka stared at the map and tried to commit it to memory. He would piece together a map that covered all of Arlyxia and note the tribes and who their humans were. Which country of humans did you work with?
I fear they no longer exist. Their own people didn’t trust magic users. Some lived here until they died. She shook her head. Some mages once said humans cannot be trusted with magic. They get a taste for it and then cannot live without it.
For all that he didn’t trust the Mayans, their way was at least more respectful. Where on the map am I?
She pointed to the edge. This way.
Have you heard of Lifeblood Mountain?
We were trying to reach there. She pointed to a triangular mark on the map. I am so close… but I will not make it.
You are alone.
I am. I have been drinking the blood of those that have died, but the scarlips are getting braver.
Will no one from Lifeblood come for you? When had his tribe become so untrusting?
They will not answer. Perhaps they are also dead.
No! He wouldn’t believe that. He took a moment to compose himself. That is where I am from. In his heart he wanted to return one day, but only when Vinland was safe for Angus and only if the Lifeblood mages stopped demanding the death of all warlocks.
I am sorry. Her sadness echoed in Saka’s mind.
So am I. I would come to you if I could.
You have. She bowed her head. Thank you. I have not died alone.
He didn’t see the blade, but he felt it as though it were in his own skin and the heat of his blood was spilling out onto the sand. He gasped, but the connection weakened as her life ended.
He reeled back until he was aware of the ground beneath him and the tree root that bit into the back of his thigh. Wek steadied him, but he wasn’t ready to talk.
“Are you all right? Did you push too far?” She lifted his chin to search his eyes. “What did you see?”
“Death.”