cascade | kotlc

4. The Lodestar Symbol

--- Biana POV ---

Tam had been right about Prentice's screams.

She would never forget his eerie wails, the sound of somecone caught between pure terror and overwhelming despair. It reminded her all too much of Fintan, sliding down that Eternalia building, bulging holes in his body, spewing blood everywhere, tainting his cloak and the crystal roof.

Don't think about that. The past is past. We need the present.

She glanced over at Tam. His eyes were closed and perspiration was trickling down his creased forehead. And just as quickly as Prentice's screams had started, it was over.

His mouth snapped shut and his head lolled to the side as Tam stumbled back, his shaky legs collapsing underneath him. Biana and Linh lunged to catch him, easing Tam's trembling body to the cold floor. Her ring glistened as she pressed her hand against his body.

It'd be nice if I could get this to work. Or if I just remembered to bring Panakes blossoms.

"Come on, Calla," she whispered. "What's your secret?"

The ring glowed brighter, almost, and Biana could smell faint traces of Alluveterre and the Panakes. Soft bits of pollen drifted off the metal, and she gasped slightly. It was almost as if Calla had heard her and replied.

Linh gathered the moisture in the air into some sort of forehead compress as she pressed the blob of water against Tam's forehead.

"What am I missing?" Biana muttered, shaking the ring and examining it from all directions. "Think, Bi. What did she say to you, back then?"

"It'd be nice if you could use Calla's ring," Linh told her as she shook her brother. "He doesn't look very fine."
Brave Ones who chose to shift their form. Their sacrificed life energy nourished the Panakes to give them the power of healing.

What had she replied?

Life cannot be made. It needs to be transferred. To be given willingly.

"Oh, of course, Calla," Biana said, half to herself and half to Linh as she raised her hand. "Of course you'd want me to do that." She smiled slightly as she lodged the ring against Tam's throat.

She could almost hear Calla's voice again, as a faint echo, quietly reverbrating around the house.

Are you really willing, Biana Vacker?
"Of course I am, Calla."

Very well, then.

Her ring suddenly gleamed, shooting out beams of soft green light that wove itself into threads and tied around Tam's neck and arms, fading into his skin as his skin brightened and Biana felt her own energy fading away.

She fed him more. Memories of her time with him, forming gentle reminders, pushing into his body.

Be with me. I needed you, Tam.

Come on. I know you want to come back.

Her mind slowed as she sank onto the floor, rolling over and collapsing into Tam as her arms and legs weakened. A green laser had formed between her ring and Tam's throat, and she could almost hear the ring pulsing, like a heartbeat.

Badum. Badum. Badum.

It was soothing. It put her mind at ease as she closed her eyes, letting her exhaustion drift into her, taking and sharing Tam's pain. She heard a gasp as her eyes fluttered open again, taking in the weak light as Tam groaned and stood up, shaking out his hands as if nothing had happened.