The Cleansing (Book One: The Folara Chronicles)

048: Ondrea

A strange wind was blowing and Ondrea stood to face it. The ceiling seemed to float away and stars appeared in its stead. The wind became fiercer, buffeting her skin, and sending her long white hair flowing around her like a veil. Her fingers gripped the bedpost hungrily, as she stared upward, waiting.

"Ondrea!" A voice declared her name and she shivered, knowing that voice and what it meant.

"Nimiane." Eyes locked upon the glowing mist in the stars. She could barely stand as the wind forced her to sit on her bed, holding on as hard as she could.

Out of the mist and the stars a vision appeared and became real. Ondrea's heart was racing, her breathing shallow. Once before Nimiane had come to her. Once before they had fought. Once before she had lost. Once before she had been betrayed.

The wind ceased abruptly and Ondrea planted herself, letting her hands fall to her sides.

Nimiane stood before her holding the vial in one hand and the scepter in the other. "I have come for the scepter." 

"I can see that you have." Ondrea replied, fear coursing through her. This whole time inside Quildor's castle, she had not been permitted to use her powers. The only asset she had was a well developed Zalez, which the land folk had in abundance. "Have you come for me?"

"Again?" Nimiane laughed cruelly. "I have no love for you, Ondrea. You have all a woman could ask for. You got everything. Power, a husband, children... no, I have held the magic safe all these years, while you have enjoyed the life I should have had."

Ondrea's mouth opened in shock. "You were hoping to be a prisoner, Nimiane? You were hoping to spend your life like me?"

"With my husband and my sons, not trapped in Aquaria, waiting for the day when it was time to heal the planet and take control of what is rightfully mine!"

Ondrea was shaking. She cut a hand sharply in front of her, negating Nimiane's words. "You knew Adara had the vial. You knew she could keep me here, powerless, bereft of husband and child, with nothing-- nothing! I have nothing! You took everything!"

"Except your sight. I can't have your sight, Ondrea, the one thing I need! I must have it now!"

"What are you talking about?" Ondrea screeched. "My sight! My Zalez?" She glanced up to see that indeed the stars and the wind were coming from outside, and were not guarded by the magic that held her there.

Nimiane stared at her in desperation. "My dragon laid an egg. I hid it inside Sentinel. I need your sight to free this planet. My dragon is dying. It is time for the new dragon to come forth."

Ondrea raised her arms. She watched Nimiane's hands carefully, the vial was still closed with its cork, and no drop had fallen to reach her. In its presence, the magic would have to be renewed. "Take your dragon to the land, Nimiane." She said simply. "I am done being your husband's prisoner, betrayed by the earth magic you hold so dear. Never again, Nimiane. I will never be a prisoner again."

With that, she allowed the transformation to overcome her and she lifted her glorious silver and white wings and leaped into the night.

Nimiane felt the weight of her error, and pointed the scepter vainly at the retreating form of the Harpyiae. Had she known that Ondrea was Harpyiae... but she had not! "You will regret this, Ondrea. I freed Jerrika for you. I know where Kara is. I will kill them both and you will have nothing in truth!" Nimiane screamed before the rush of air that was the last of Ondrea cascaded over her. She buried her face in her hands as her heart pounded out a frantic rhythm. The earth magic had betrayed them all!!! They didn't understand it, useless as it was here on Folara! Enhanced by whatever planetary powers controlled it now!