Chapters (37)
Fleya paused. ‘Yes and no. She’s not a shade in the traditional sense – more a spirit that has chosen to set up residence in a particular place. She and the cabin are one and the same thing. She is the reason why this house is a calm and happy one, I think.’
Lann thought about the times he’d been in the house on his own, and how relaxed and peaceful he had always felt. He wasn’t sure he’d have felt the same had he known the wight had been a constant presence.
‘She doesn’t like arguments or disputes,’ his aunt continued, ‘so she hid from view earlier on. That you can see her at all is because of the majik you’ve inherited from the blade.’
As though stirring at the mention, a voice from the blade began to call Lann. Sensing the boy’s unease, his aunt nodded her head in the direction of his room. ‘Go. I know it calls to you.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘You and the sword are bound together by fate, Lannigon. I have to learn to accept that, even if I do not like it.’ She gave a little sigh. ‘I am tired from my time healing in the village and I would like to sleep now. Later I will use my majik and see what I can find out about the young necromancer you encountered in your dream.’
‘The ritual I witnessed him performing … I do not think the dream was showing me the here and now. It didn’t … feel like that.’
‘Your vision was of a possible future, a view of things that will come to be unless we can stop it.’ She paused, her head at an angle as she studied him. ‘You have much of your mother’s Art in you. Go now, strap your sword to your side again and build a fire while I rest.’
Lann watched her walk across the room in the direction of her bedroom. ‘Thank you, Fleya,’ he said.
She paused and looked at him with affection in her cool gaze. ‘For what?’
‘For rescuing me. For keeping me going. For teaching me about this world and the world of the gods. For your love and your understanding during our time together. For … for understanding that this is something that I have to do, even if I myself don’t know why.’
Fleya nodded back at him. ‘And thank you, Lann. For reminding me what courage and love can create in this world. I fear we will face many dark times in the coming weeks and months, but we will do so together. You, me … and the Dreadblade.’