A Symphony of Ice and Shadow

Chapter 3

TW: Mention of death, Mention of trauma 

Marion left Terrasen for a couple of days after the party due to her insensitive brother. She was staying in Rifthold with Asterin for the past week and Thea religiously joined the pair since her father was Hand of the King and also lived in the palace. Even though what brought her here was guilt, she was glad to have this time with her friends.

The past week the three of them stayed up until the late hours of the night, reading their favorite books and discussing which book character they found the most appealing. Marion would go with Asterin to council meetings to understand what was happening in Adarlan and the other countries. Dorian, Asterin's father, did not seem to mind her presence. In fact, he actually encouraged Marion to attend so she could communicate Adarlan's plans with Aelin when Marion returned to Terrasen. Thea and Marion would help around the apothecary at the palace with Yrene and even though Marion was hesitant to help, Thea and Yrene both welcomed her into their workspace, which Marion was grateful for. Marion and Asterin would train with Chaol and Dorian in the early hours of the morning in sword fighting and archery. Marion particularly liked the archery component. On their day off, Thea and Asterin dragged Marion into the city to go shopping. Marion ended up buying 5 new books for her collection while Thea bought new herbs for the apothecary and Asterin bought 2 new dresses with matching shoes.

Marion also had ulterior motives for coming to Rifthold. What her brother said struck a nerve. Even though he was right, and she was a monster, it still hurt coming from him. But she still wanted the relationship she had with her brother back, and for him to not be afraid of her anymore. So, when Asterin was busy working with her father on political affairs and Althea was healing a patient with her mother, Marion would sneak off to the library to learn what she could about Wyrdmarks. She knew the magical language could block and enhance magic in a person. She also knew Wyrdmarks would protect, unlock, or seal items as well. So, she wondered if these markings could help restrain or even stop her magic from occurring.

Marion had finally found the section of the library that contained information about the subject and was planning on going back today when she was finished helping Asterin feed the wyverns. "You are thinking hard again" Thea said next to Marion as she helped gather the meat for the wyverns Asterin needed to feed. Althea did not like the sight of meat; in fact, she did not like meat at all and stayed to a strict meat free diet. "I... didn't sleep well last night. Another nightmare" Marion said. What Marion said was only partly true. She did have a nightmare last night, but she was also thinking about the library and hopefully finding something to stop her magic from hurting anyone again.

"M, you shouldn't listen to your brother" Thea said, knowing Marion too well. "It was no one's fault, what happened to Sage. We all miss her" Thea said, trying to funnel support for her friend through her gaze. Marion knew that Althea was trying to be supportive, and she loved her friend for it. Marion gave her friend a small smile. "Thea, I will be fine. I am just tired" she said. She knew Althea didn't believe her but dropped the subject anyway.

Marion picked up the basket of meats and said, "I need to get this meat down to Asterin. We will be back up in a little bit."

"I will see you two later. I must go help my mother with a patient in the city" Thea said. Marion nodded and started to head down to the wyvern pit then Althea called again "M?" Marion partly turned toward her friend when she said "You know Asterin and I both love you right? We are here if you need us." Marion's heart swelled with love for her two friends. Marion nodded and smiled, unsure what to say to her friend that could ever express how grateful she was for her. When Althea left, Marion continued down to the pit.

Since the war, and since the wyvern were created by Adarlan and the Valg, Adarlan needed a place to house them. Most of the wyvern's journeyed to the Witch Kingdom with their riders while others were spread throughout Erilea. But because Manon and Asterin both lived in Rifthold, the wyvern pit was built near the palace to house Abraxos and Kaida.