Chapter 3: Part 6 - The Call Of Power

Auri’s world had always been one of colour and magic. For as long as she could remember, she’d been fascinated by the energies swirling through everything around her. Rock and sky, plant and person ‒ each and every facet of existence was vibrant and alive.

At least, it was to her. Not everyone could feel the life thrumming through the earth or taste the magic drifting with the wind. She’d always thought it would be a cold and lonely existence, not being able to sense such things ‒ but at least the world would be a bit less distracting.

It was Oska who anchored her. Auri knew she said things others wouldn’t, just as she knew everyone found her… odd. She could always feel Oska, though, whether he was by her side or half the world away. His presence reminded her there was more to life than magic. Family, friendship, community... These were things she found hard to keep within her grasp when Oska wasn't nearby.

She could feel him now, outside the tent. There had been some sort of commotion, new arrivals in the dead of night. Auri, drowsing, listened to their voices rising and falling. They were discussing something with great vigour, speaking loud enough to make the currents of air fluctuate around her tent. They were discussing… her.

Auri supposed she ought to be offended. She’d spent a lifetime listening to people whispering her name in corners, though. She was used to the confused looks, to the consternation, to the endless procession of people who passed through her orbit, trying to make sense of her. None of them ever would; she’d tried to explain as much to her mother, a long time ago. No-one but Oska would ever understand her and that suited her just fine.

The talk outside the tent was just another boring argument. Auri was on the verge of going back to sleep when something tickled across the edge of her consciousness. Not quite a thought, not even an instinct. Call it… intuition. She was good at following that.

Auri opened her eyes. Her gaze was drawn to the back wall of the tent, which faced the dark of the Wildlands. It wasn’t dark any longer, though. Fiery lines had been traced across the canvas, forming a neat shape: a circle, with the flame symbol of an elementalist etched in its centre.

Auri crept out of bed. When she brushed her fingers across the canvas, it was cool and damp, not scorched at all. She had a feeling, should anyone else enter the tent, they wouldn’t even be able to see the symbol.

It had been meant for her ‒ as was the portal on the other side.

Auri felt that before she saw it. Mesmer magic produced a sensation like silk gliding across her skin, subtle and inviting. It didn’t interest her the way the elements did, but it certainly had its own kind of power. Indeed, when she grabbed a dagger and sliced through the canvas, the tent filled with a shimmering purple glow. A portal lay just outside, ready and waiting.

For the first time, Auri hesitated. She’d gathered up her weapons without thinking; she’d been ready to jump into the portal without a second thought. Something was scratching at the back of her mind, though… That little voice Oska always called ‘common sense’.

Auri listened to it, just for a moment. She didn’t know who’d left the portal or where it led. She didn’t know if anyone else, including Oska, would be able to follow her through. But then she didn’t know what they’d be having for breakfast, either, or whether it would rain tomorrow, or whether Burg would be in a good mood. There were so many questions in the world, none of which she could answer. She had a feeling Oska would tell her only some of those questions were important ‒ but she wasn’t Oska.

She could feel him now, close by and brimming with anger. Auri sent a sliver of thought towards him, but her brother was too distracted to listen. His roiling emotions made her nervous. Far better to step towards the portal. That symbol of the elementalist inscribed on the tent wall, all that magic… It felt like an invitation.

Auri slid through the ragged canvas and stepped straight into the portal.

There was a brief, disorientating sense of falling without moving. When it faded, Auri found herself standing on a hillside, wreathed in darkness. There were a million glittering stars overhead, though, and they provided enough light to see the figure that melted from the shadows.

Auri knew exactly who she was facing. She also knew she ought to be afraid ‒ except Artair’s smile was wide and reassuring. Somehow, she knew he’d do her no harm.

“There you are, my dear.” Artair spoke as though she’d left in the middle of a conversation and only just returned. “It’s about time.”

Time for what? Auri could see lights over Artair’s shoulder, which she knew belonged to the camp. It was further down the hill, but it looked close enough to touch; one shout and everyone would hear her.

But when Artair held out a hand, Auri took it. “Taria has hidden you away for so very long,” he murmured. “How unfair of her, to keep your brilliance from the world.”

Auri put her head on one side. “I’m not brilliant,” she said, the words dredged out of a long-ago memory. There had been raised voices, running feet, flames rising into the night… “I’m dangerous.”

Artair’s smile was glittering. “Well, now,” he said, gesturing to another portal farther up the hill. “We’ll just have to see about that, won’t we?”

The air seemed to swell with magic. Auri knew she was being manipulated and didn’t care. There was so much power here and it was as intoxicating as the fragrance of a beautiful flower. So much magic; for a moment it felt almost familiar…

Auri didn’t even try to resist. She’d followed the magic this far and she couldn’t back out now. Power called to power and she felt certain Artair was offering her more than she could possibly dream of.

She returned his smile, slipped her fingers free of his grasp, and stepped into the portal.