🔥 The Path of Fire (Path of Light and Fire Book #1)(Completed) 🔥

NSP 1: The Grace of Rianna

The Grace of Rianna is a ritual that everyone must go through to attain the status of Elder. For most it is symbolism; a small animal is sacrificed and acts as a proxy for the others' blood. The Elders take turns paining the candidate and if she 'survives' the ordeal she becomes an equal.

In less civilized times, only the most brave and foolish underwent this trial. The candidate would be cut and smeared with the blood of other mages. Many would-be Elders did not survive the process.

Kianna did not perform this ancient version out of false bravado or stupidity. The true version of this ritual was a gifting, in which the other Elders shared their Talents with the aspirant. She knew if she was to be more than a burden to the Seriens, this blessing was her only chance. Even if this succeeded, she would only be slightly less so.

It was with this understanding that Kianna stood in the center of the holy circle, surrounded by the Elders of Feral.

She was naked and cold, having been cleaned and scrubbed raw by Sister Olina. Her old friend and study partner was one of the many people who had tried and failed to talk her out of the ordeal.

Each Elder wore a dress the color of crimson. There would be a lot of blood shed today and not just Kianna's.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Lila said through her veiled coif. As new H.E.R., it was her duty to lead the rites. Kianna knew it was a lot to ask of Lila. Her mother would lose both of daughters at once regardless of the outcome, but her mind was set.

I know how you must feel. Sorry mother.

"I will not allow Sister Alaina to bear this burden alone," Kianna said.

Lila nodded and took the ceremonial knife from Sister Olina. Kianna watched as Lila approached slowly, hand clinching the hilt. She sliced her palm and Kianna shoulder, then smeared her bleeding palm over Kianna's wound.

Lila handed the blade to Sister Olina and returned to her position in the circle.

Each woman in turn was given the knife and repeated the process. Kianna thought that at some point it would hurt less, but each cut stung like the first, a symphony of pain that had her in a dreamlike state.

After the last Elder finished, Olina took the knife and left the room. Kianna knew that they could have chosen to be selfish with their Talents. She had not earned the title of Elder and as such had no right to their time. A few people had not come; some out of protest and others out of concern. However the bulk of the Elders had shown and for that Kianna would be eternally thankful.

She also vowed that she would hold no grudges.

The last Elder returned to the circle and Lila began the rites. "As H.E.R., I offer our daughter to the aid of the Seriens. Rianna, please grant her Your Grace."

Kianna bit her tongue to remain conscious. It was not the blood loss that could kill her if the texts were correct. It was the next part.

The women began to draw on their Talents, using the hand signals to focus and cast. She noticed the finger on the lips for a silence spell, the bull's horn for strength and several others.

The glow always began at the extremities, flowing upwards to the rest of the body. Some of the Elders got no further than their wrists and others pulsed at their breasts. Kianna could feel the caress of magic on her skin and despite her lack of casting she started to glow.

She watched her right hand pulse rapidly, then she felt a tugging at her left leg. She yelped from pain in her right knee and before long until her whole body shone, each section pulsing at different intervals.

It was then she noticed that the pain from the cuts were gone.

Slowly her body synced, starting with her hands and working its way down. A euphoria washed over her; never before had she felt this much power. She needed to breathe before she was overwhelmed. She closed her eyes and began to take slow deep breaths.

She had a vision of herself in the sky, wielding a Silverwood bow and fighting side by side with the Seriens.

Rianna heard our ritual and blessed me!

When she opened her eyes to tell the others, she was greeted to complete darkness. Her heart raced. Where am I? That power! I didn't die, did I?

She felt a flash of pain in her chest and cried out. As she looked down, she could see a spear jutting from her chest.

At the other end of the spear was a blur, a face that she couldn't make out. In her last breaths, she wanted to know who killed her. She strained her eyes. Sabin? No, someone else. She could feel the anger that radiated from those eyes.

Then there was nothing.

She closed her eyes and allowed the ether to take her. They warned her it was foolish, that this could kill her.

I have no regrets.

"Kianna!"

She gasped for air and fumbled around, feeling at her chest. The spear was gone and she was still in the center of the circle.

"Are you okay?" Lila said, cupping her face. As Kianna looked around, she noticed her mother was the only Elder remaining.

Kianna embraced Lila and cried, grateful she survived. Her mind immediately returned to her visions.

What did I see?

How am I still alive?

What happened?