When All You Have are Embers

IX

Lilith

The cold side of the mountains had passed, here it was sunny and warm. The rays of the sun covered her skin like a blanket. And the light breeze combed through her hair. The smell of grass wafted through the air as they grew closer to the wheat fields. The mountains had gotten smaller and they began to see small trees and bushes along their path. Their blisters had been healed and their minds had been cleared. Ric smiled as he watched Lilith walk in front of him. Her white hair trailing long behind her. The reminder that she needed help on this journey weighed on her. She had always been so independent. But she was so close to death just a few days ago. And she couldn't even save Ric.

"The sun is setting." Ric said. Coventry and Lilith held up two fingers to the sky. Coventry sighed and placed his satchel down. "There's a cave just up ahead, we should be safe there." Ric said.

"Very well, do either of you have wood?" Lilith asked.

"Wood, food, water. Whatever you two need, it's in this bag." Coventry said. He walked ahead of them as they stared at each other.

"Who is he exactly? Why is he helping us?" Lilith rolled her eyes.

"He's a good man-" Ric started.

"He's a Caster. If I decide not to trust him I don't trust him." She repeated. "I don't care if he knows my name. Or seems like a good person. The entire world is in danger because of a Caster right now. Just because he's helping us now does not make him loyal to us forever. He's not a dog." Ric understood where she was coming from, but if he was being honest he felt as though he could trust Coventry with his life. He didn't know why, he just made him feel safe. The sky had cleared from all the red clouds back north. They could see the dark magic swirling around the peak of Mount Center. Lilith sighed and caught up with Coventry as Ric stared off at the maroon clouds.

As Lilith stared off into nothing she felt a tap on her shoulder. Ric motioned for her to to follow him, and he led her away from Coventry.

"What is it? Why are we in this cave?" Lilith watched as Ric walked further and further into the darkness. "Say something!"

"Not here!" He yelled. "It's too dangerous. Just follow me." He repeated. Lilith sighed out of frustration and followed closely behind him. They walked for no longer than five minutes until Ric turned to her. He loomed over her as he looked down into her eyes.

"Now... What is this about Ric? Why did you drag me here?"

"Ohnah thoh ul, orl Sept Oracle ahnh? Reemon Therris? Coventry lanh. Han horloc With i han soma"

"Lo. Kee lul horh ul thoh. Nor?"

"Krol thi th essusin lul ahnh. Lisha manh Sept i han soma, sol toom. So why...? Why hasn't he done it?"

"Thoh kol harn, lul thoh." 

;("Do you remember what King Oracle said? About Therris? Coventry too. 'The most powerful Caster in the whole world'."
"Yes. Why are you telling me this?"
"If he wanted to he could destroy every King in the world. Every Kingdom. So why, why hasn't he done it yet?"
"I don't know...")

There was a moment of silence as Ric stared at the floor. "He's watching us isn't he?" Ric looked at her. "You sense it. His magic."

"Moonlight magic." Ric said. Lilith nodded and pushed her hair back.

"Demons are granted the ability to walk now. They have been given physical form." She said.

"And this is coming from Therris?"

"Therris... and others." She said. "Two others have demons in their possession. But not their control." 

"This is dangerous. People are trying to wield a type of magic they have no control over."