The Mage Wars

Back In Vespera

29 Rigel of the year 13004

Last night Uncles Hadirel, Aveyard, and Ignatius arrived. Mere hours after, our group arrived in Caelora. Neirin and Sir Haedyn caught up with us in Kilmat on the twentieth. We waited for them for three days before we all rode for Caelora, Vespera.

Around the table sit Kaelen, Galen, Altair, Neirin, Father, my Uncles and myself. We've gone through our debrief and have since kicked Holly, Ella and Sir Haedyen out of the room. I heard Liron and Sharrn talking to Sir Haedyn when he exited.

I think the young cousins are waiting for Neirin. But I can't be sure.

"Each Kingdom will present a Lord, then each Lord shall undergo a series of tests," Uncle Avayard explains. Most of us don't sit in on council meetings, so the explanation of choosing a king is necessary.

Uncle Aveyard turns to his oldest brother. "Avalon, do you wish to start,"

Father nods. He glances at Galen before announcing he recommends Lord Arthur Cardinian.

Beside me, Galen tenses. I reach over and clasp his hand in mine. The general squeezes my hand and begins rubbing the back of my hand with his thumb.

My Uncles and Father continue to bicker over names. As they do, I reach for the bond I've felt since slicing my hand over the bowl in Vanora. A significant tendril tugs in my chest, and I slip into my mind.

In a drawing room, Elysia, Uncle Carys, Uncle Aveyard, Uncle Ignatius, Uncle Hadriel and Father stand around a table. What year is this? Uncle Carys looks angry. I don't think I've ever seen him like this. What has a stick shoved up his arse?

Uncle Aveyard says something that is not intelligible to my ears. It must be important, Uncle Carys slams his hands on the table. All of the siblings seem to be angry at something or at someone. If Elysia is there, then Korbin would be alive. Therefore they are likely mad at him.

I will myself closer so I can listen in, but I'm pulled back to reality.

I blink a few times to clear my hazy mind. Altair's gods, that was strange. Felt strange, too, like I was there when that clearly took place in the past.

Across from me, Uncle Ignatius opens his mouth, likely to recommend someone, but I beat him to it. "Does it have to be a Lord?"

"No...No, it does not," Uncle Ignatius replies. He likely thinks that I'm about to add a name to the list. That is not the case.

"And we pass Kingdoms by blood, correct?" In the back of my mind, I go over all I know of our culture and customs, how the first king was chosen, how the other first kings became king and how the spirit king became king.

All the first kings of Seraphina had to go through the same thing. Cutting of the palm and bleeding on a crystal on a certain date and predetermined place. It's how the royals established a bond with each kingdom of Seraphina.

Father's green eyes indicate he's working out my thought process. Spirits, if only there were a spell to allow others to read minds. Not even I know that spell. I'm undecided if I'd ever want to use it.

"It has to be through two living persons,"

"Would it be possible for the passing to be between one living person?"

"Not that I know of," Father looks puzzled.

"I believe that for someone to claim rulership over Vanora, they have to spill blood on an object of Elysia's choosing,"

Father nods and takes a deep gulp of wine. Uncle Aveyard's question tells me Father and Uncle Carys kept their brothers in the dark. The spirit king would know why. "And how would you know of this?"