Tipping the Scale

I step away from the rocks, heart racing in my chest. This mantis is *large*. Larger than most of the mantis I've already encountered. I try and focus, slowing my breathing and concentrating on…. *on what*?

Truth be told, I’m not entirely sure how I’m supposed to *compel* this creature. The one and only time I’ve managed to control a mantis I unconsciously made it shred itself apart. I remember in my studies with Brunella that she explained that situations of high emotion can sometimes force large bursts of magical power; but they can often be met with unpredictable consequences. That possibly explains how it was possible; but doesn’t really help me figure out how to replicate it.

I still feel the magic swirling beneath my skin from my contact with Renys. It’s almost as if his magic is calling to mine. I focus on that feeling, trying to focus on channelling it forward, toward the mantis. As I begin to draw my power and focus, I see the mantis turn. *toward me*. I know before it even begins to move that I’ve been seen. Its pincers snap together as it hurtles forwards. My heart races and my power bubbles and writhes, begging to be released.

I know I could call forth a burst of power to extinguish the beast, I can sense how strong I’ve become and how my magic longs to eliminate the threat before me, but that’s not what Renys asked.

*Compel it* A voice rings inside my head.

*Renys? *

*Will it to do your bidding. Command it*.

My head spins for a moment before I scream.

“STOP!” The command explodes from my throat as my magic bursts from my palm.

I swear for a moment I feel the ground shake beneath me as I stumble and fall to my knee. I scramble to stand, panic writhing through me as I’ve broken eye contact with the creature-

“Easy, now” A strong arm gently eases me up, whilst a hand steadies at my back. My legs feel weak for a moment as I regain my balance. “We’re safe”

“That… has no doubt used a great deal of power. Your body may be feeling the effects”.

My eyes dart to the creature. Its body looms mere feet from where we stand, huge and terrifying as its claws hang aimlessly by its sides. It stands unmoving, and for a moment it appears as though its frozen in place, until I hear the hissing sound it emits.

“That is… unsettling” Renys smirks as his hand falls from my back and he takes a stride toward the beast.

“Careful!” I hiss “I have no idea how long it will stay like that. It might- “

Renys draws his sword and slices the underbelly of the mantis, forcing it to topple to the ground as dark liquid oozes into the dirt.

“Impressive” Renys comments as he cleans his sword on a patch of grass. “Come now, let us find your mate and tell him of your newly acquired talent”.

As we amble along the cliffside searching for the others and guarding against any further attacks; I notice Renys unbuttoning the first two buttons of his tunic. He looks remarkably relaxed, considering the threats we face.

“Warm?” I ask, puzzled look about my face. Cold air whips about us, loosening several strands of golden hair from the knot fastened atop Renys’ head.

“Indeed”

My eyebrow lifts in surprise. How could he be warm? Its positively frigid up here with the winds slicing through our cloaks.

“The air here is a great deal milder than back home” Renys smiles.

“Through the… *gloom*”?

Renys nods but doesn’t elaborate and we fall into companiable silence once more. Ayris had mentioned that Renys’ homeland was shrouded in mystery, as crossing through the borders was a deadly journey.

“It’s not so scary” Renys quips, pulling me from my thoughts. “You just have to know the correct path. I crossed the mists regularly when I was a boy”.

The surprise must register on my face, as Renys chuckles at my expression.

“I assume your mate talked of the deadly mists that surround the forests”.

I nod, recalling mine and Ayris’ conversation about the mists full of monsters as I shiver in my furs.

“Their reputation is far worse than the reality; provided one knows the way” he finishes.

“And if you *don’t* know the way?” I ask, now curious.

“Then you would be a fool” Renys smirks.

As we round the cliff, I sense Ayris through the bond before my eyes can find him. A mixture of confusion and panic laces through him and I try to send feelings of reassurance through the bond.

“Short round!” Kel’s voice emerges from a verge, swiftly followed by Ayris who launches forward and scoops me in his arms. His breathing is ragged, and I can still feel the worry coursing through him.

“I’m ok” I whisper. “What has you so rattled?”

“Did you do that?” Kel interrupts as he catches up to us. I watch as his demeanour shifts into effortless disdain when his eyes lock with Renys, who responds on my behalf.

“Indeed” He replies. “Laurel seems to have acquired a new ability”.

“Do you feel alright, my velatha? Has using your power exhausted you?” Ayris runs his hands over me, as if making an assessment of my wellbeing.

“I’m fine” I answer honestly. “I felt a little weak for a moment, but it passed quickly”.

Renys cocks a brow. “Impressive, given a power you expended” he comments. “That must have covered most of the cliffside”.

I wrinkle my eyebrows in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Renys seemingly ignores me and addresses Ayris-

“How many creatures did you and your first find whilst scouting, commander?”

“Three” Ayris answers gruffly, and my eyes widen in alarm.

“Are you ok?” I gasp “Three mantis against the two of you- “

“Three *frozen* mantis, my lady” Renys interrupts to correct me.

My mouth falls open in surprise as Ayris nods.

“A group of three mantis who one minute were launching forward to tear us apart and the next…”

“Stopped dead in their tracks” Kel finishes. “Like three grotesque statues cluttering up the hillside”.

Silence falls upon us, but Renys grins as Ayris runs a hand through my hair.

“I could sense it was your power that swept across the cliffs” Ayris breathes as he holds me in his arms. “I could feel it wash over me”.

“This new power is one that could tip the scales of war, my lady” Renys says as he strides forward. “We should try and utilise it to its utmost potential”.

The night grows bitterly cold as we ride onward toward the citadel, but Ayris and his men barely flinch at the grim conditions. Bess huffs as Ayris adjusts his posture to pull me closer and bundle the furs about my cold body.

“You are sure you’re unaffected from using your powers earlier?” He questions, cupping my hand in his warm palm. I know he worries about me overexerting myself whenever I use my abilities, even more so now with the pregnancy. But even I’m surprised how I’m not more badly affected.

“Honestly, I feel fine” I answer truthfully. “I’m still not sure how I did it, or how I managed to make it… *spread* like that”.

Ayris huffs, a small grin of pride curling his lip.

“My velatha is such an almighty sorceress that she effortlessly disables an entire herd of beasts without even realising she has done so”.

I huff in response.

“I don’t feel like an almighty sorceress” I reply “If I was all powerful, I would have figured out a way to stay warm in this freezing rain” I laugh.

Ayris leans down, his warm breath tickling the shell of my ear.

“That is why you have me”.

He pulls me snugly against him, wrapping his cloak around my own, his body heat penetrating my spine and arms.

“Thank you” I sigh, burying my head into his chest. “I knew I kept you around for a reason”.

Ayris cackles, kissing my forehead as my eyes flutter closed.

“Sleep now, Laurel. I will wake you once we reach the wall”.

I turn my head to find a comfortable spot and cast my eyes in Renys’ direction. He rides with his own men as he appears to relay the story of our scouting adventure to them. I can’t make out their conversation, but it looks… *heated*, maybe? They appear very obviously unimpressed that their prince is taking such risks with his well-being. Honestly, I’m still shocked he convinced them to stay behind whilst we scouted ahead, they’re very protective of their sovereign.

I slowly drift off to sleep in the knowledge that the prince and I may have more things in common than I realised.

The whinnying of horses stirs my senses before Ayris nudges me awake.

“Laurel” His voice is calm, but I feel the ripple of worry under my skin.

“We are not alone” He continues, his voice low and controlled.

The horses huff and whine, as I take in the scene around me.

We’re approaching a clearing, but the path is difficult to make out in the absolute darkness. The horses seem reluctant to plough ahead and so we seem to be moving slowly but steadily through the blackness.

We have no torches, the men presumably relying on their shifter eyesight to guide them.

A shrill whistle splits the air and Ayris’ grip upon my waist tightens almost imperceptibly.

The silence all around us grows heavy and thick. We wait, but nothing emerges as we continue forward. Suddenly a beacon of light appears ahead, and the horses grow more agitated as we drive them toward it.

Kel is riding slightly ahead, my eyes barely able to make out the shape of his shoulders. He pauses upon the horse, as he turns.

“Movement. Up ahead” He hisses.

I can almost feel every horse and rider tense as their instincts fly into high alert. Ayris’ grip tightens around my waist, and I feel his protectiveness permeate my skin. I can’t hear anything, but I know shifters are more sensitive; so, I watch and wait to see what emerges.

Silently, Ayris thrusts something into my hands and it takes me a moment to realise what he’s handing me. It takes me a moment to realise what it is; and I can’t help but raise my brow at him as I glance up at him. His gaze never falters from the path ahead, watching for any threats to emerge, but he does lean down to whisper in my ear.

“Even a powerful sorceress may have need of a weapon on occasion”.

I smile as I feel the grip of the bow beneath my hands and Ayris signals for one of his men to throw him a quiver.