The Chronicles of Nir

28 | Full Moon and Fae Magic

Though Ben's injuries had healed cleanly, thanks to Maisie and the medics' skills, Bran would not allow him to resume his training for nearly two weeks, in which time the full moon came and went.

"Not all wounds bleed," Bran had said. "Some remain buried deep—especially wounds of the heart and mind. Both you and Tallon must be in peak condition, and have perfect trust between you, before we dare to face Volaer."

Ben knew Bran was right, but he was far more concerned for Tallon than he was for himself.

Meanwhile, the Gatekeeper underwent extensive repairs, blessed by Aeslin and Bran. At the new moon, they performed a ceremony of purification, with spells of protection and black candles lighting the newly repaired deck.

Then all that remained was to prepare, wait for the moon to be full again, and pray to Goddess Zetia.

Aeslin confined herself to her quarters, meditating for hours each day and planning the ritual to the letter. Each word would matter, as would the precise time the caster spoke it. The climax had to align with the moon at its zenith, when it bathed the world in pure silver light.

With Tallon still healing, Bran took Ben as a true apprentice, training him from dawn until dusk, often pushing him past his limits so he fell into bed utterly exhausted each night. As such, Ben slept in the First Mate's cabin, which was nearly as fine as Aeslin's, and which belonged to Bran.

"'Tis for your own safety," he'd told Ben the first evening, after they'd finished training on the beach. He'd brought dinner straight to the cabin, setting up a table for two. "We cannot risk another attack—on you or your bonded."

Though Bran's attitude towards Tallon had softened, he kept his distance from the half-elf, still unsure of Volear's influence. The queen, however, insisted Tallon be treated as one of their own, and in this, Bran deferred to her judgment.

"I don't imagine you remember," he said, after Ben accidentally witnessed a surprisingly heated argument between the two, "but do you recall me saying that Ithrondel had a half sister of full royal blood, whom he and I raised after their father's death? That little girl was Aeslin herself. She is a daughter to me, and I a father to her, and as such we clash frequently. She considers my view outdated; I worry she is too ready to rush into things headlong. Between us, I hope some measure of wisdom prevails."

Tallon, meanwhile, remained in the infirmary, guarded by Garynn and Corrinne, with Maisie and Ben the only visitors permitted.

Outwardly, his wound had healed, and the stitches had been removed. However, he'd become lethargic, sleeping as much as he had when he'd first boarded the Gatekeeper. He didn't attempt to leave the ship again, nor did he make any attempts to socialize.

His recovery had been silent, lonely, and troubling to his companions.

Maisie, in particular, worried. Ben often returned from his daily training so exhausted he could barely stay awake long enough to eat his dinner, but Maisie spent many hours at Tallon's side. One night, she told Aeslin her concerns as they warmed each other under a thick blanket, legs entwined and soft bodies pressed together.

"Tallon isn't himself," she lamented. "Before we set foot upon Springwood, he was friendly and talkative. Now, it's like he's become a shell of himself. Is there nothing we can do for him?"

Aeslin stroked Maisie's hair and pursed her lips, considering her response. Finally, she said, "I fear the Springwood curse will always affect him in some way. Until Volaer and his influence are eradicated from our land, he will hear the eldritch demon's call. The sooner he leaves this place, the better; but I assure you, there is still hope for him."