The Gathering of Masters: The Bond Once Severed Book 1

42. Coming Together

"It is good you have come, Pers." Mara landed on the rock beside the dark woman who surveyed the Vale below. "Much has happened."

"I know, Brother Air has been crowing about it for hours now," Persephone, daughter of the Inyone, Wind Witch to the Tribe and member of the Council of Air Masters, admitted to her closest friend and rival.

"Oh, I spoke of something else, but we will discuss that later." Mara's smile faltered as she watched her friend frown. "What concerns you?"

"I worry about my nephew's newest pairing; it is what we hoped for, and it is dangerous," Persephone answered.

"But Pers, it was your brother's -"

"It is an undeniable fact that my brother is a remarkable man with a heart that always seeks the prosperity of our tribes. Yet, I cannot overlook that Otec has been a terrible father. He has recklessly jeopardized his son's safety." Persephone interrupted her friend and stomped her foot as she spoke with frustration. "Though an intact triangle is strong, the whole structure can collapse if one corner is erased."

"Or it becomes a straight line, a much simpler construct," Mara responded.

"Simple, nothing about this is simple. And it worries me that the Elementals interfered without our guidance."

"They are our friends, Pers," Mara countered.

"No, don't be naive, Mara. The Elementals have their own plan, and they are bringing us along with them."

"We are the Masters!" Mara protested, but Persephone's words worried her.

"That is what you have named yourselves, but that is not what the Elementals name you." Persephone glared at Mara. This old argument took on new meaning in this context.

"Friends, Masters, witches, wizards, mages, whatever name you give us, we have the power to control the Elementals," Mara responded without contrition.

"I hope you are right, as I always do. But I fear you are wrong, as I always do."

"Well, are we going into the Vale?" Mara was impatient to give Persephone her other news but knew it was not the moment.

"I suppose we should," Persephone answered with a sigh and jumped off the cliff's edge, allowing the Air to carry her towards the Cottage at the Vale center.

As Mara joined her friend in the sky, a sense of exhilaration and freedom washed over her. The wind rushed past her, carrying away her worries and fears. She was grateful to her friend for giving her this moment of respite.

But as they flew together, Mara's mind drifted to their discussion. For the first time, she began to see the wisdom in her friend's words, and a sense of worry crept into her mind.

Mara couldn't help but reflect on the day the Elementals had saved her from a life of horror and despair. She remembered how they had operated outside the constraints that had held them for centuries and how they had shown her a new way of living. Only after meeting the students did Mara realize her rescue was part of a larger pattern, not just a single act of kindness.

***

Leena stood quietly, observing the scene before her with a furrowed brow. Persephone and Mara had been inseparable since they were young students in the Vale. Despite the noticeable differences in their age and upbringing, they bonded over their love for Air and unwavering loyalty to the Master. However, as Leena watched, she couldn't help but notice a subtle tension between the two friends. She suspected it might be related to the sudden change in Natalia and Raja's behavior at dinner.

It was already late, and Leena knew it wasn't the right time to confront the issue head-on. Her mind was preoccupied with the arrival of Jordan in the Vale, and she had enough to worry about already. She couldn't let her guard down, not with the unpredictable nature of Jordan's presence. But thankfully, Agnes was there to lend her support.