Page 40 of Mountains of Mist and Magic (A World of Sun and Shadow #4)

R enya's face was dark red, and her entire body shook with anger. “That's it, tell us everything, now!”

Cressida just tittered, and it took everything in Renya not to murder her on the spot. It would be so easy, and she was sure everyone would join in. It would be like the murder of Julius Caesar, and everyone could take a turn...

“I didn't know it before we entered this shore, daughter,” she sneered. “But look above you. What's carved on the mountains?”

Renya had noticed the etchings when they were pulling into the bay, but they were too far away to make out. Now, as she gazed upward, the carvings came into sharp focus. Her breath caught in her throat as she recognized the shapes, their significance dawning on her with startling clarity.

A deer, a fox, and a bear.

The symbols seemed to pulse with a mystical energy, as if they were more than mere carvings but living entities watching over them. Renya felt a shiver run down her spine, a mixture of awe and trepidation coursing through her veins.

“It is clever...” Cressida mused. “All three together...though I'm surprised about the bear.”

“What in the Gods' names are you rambling about?” Grayden roared, his patience clearly wearing thin.

“Nothing,” she said, but Renya knew she was lying, or at least had a hunch of what was going on. But before she could force an answer out of her mother, Cressida had moved forward, her hands outstretched.

“We've come,” she said simply, speaking to the iridescent wall.

Sion snorted, and Renya almost joined in with him. Absolutely nothing happened. Renya turned towards her father to see if he had any ideas, but then the ground started to shift beneath their feet. The rocks and pebbles rolled back towards the beach. They all struggled as the ground underneath them tumbled away, leaving nothing but a smooth, granite-like surface.

Suddenly, from the archway, a figure emerged. Renya rubbed her eyes, trying to make sense of what she saw.

“An oread.” Her aunt gasped softly.

“A what?” Renya asked.

The oread emerged from the shadows of the cave, her form seamlessly blending with the rugged terrain. Her skin, a rich, earthy brown, seemed to be dusted with fine grains of granite. Her hair cascaded down her back in wild, flowing waves, a mixture of dark browns and shimmering silver strands that caught the light. Her eyes were a deep green flecked with gold, like the moss on a tree stump. She moved with a fluid grace, her slender form wrapped in a garment woven from delicate vines and leaves, adorned with tiny, glistening crystals that sparkled with every movement.

“What's an oread?” Phillippe asked. Grayden slugged him in the ribs.

The creature spoke, her voice lithe and lilting. Renya had expected her tone to be gravelly and rough like the mountains around her.

“Do you seek to know about me, or do you wish to know about the perils ahead of you? For I will only answer once.”

“No one asks her anything,” Cyrus said sternly. He looked directly at Phillippe, and Renya swore her brother-in-law reddened slightly.

“An oread is a mountain nymph,” Cressida answered. “Another so-called myth. I believe the Spring Lands have an Oread Festival, however.”

The nymph ignored Cressida. “To pass requires a sacrifice. A payment.”

“We are prepared to pay it,” Cressida answered for the group.

“Excuse me?” Selenia squealed.

“We don't know what it is!” Julietta added.

“We can't ask what it is. We get one question,” Cressida hissed.

“This is nonsense,” Grayden said, moving forward to protect the others. “It could be anything. It could be our lives!”

“It won't be,” Cressida said.

Renya looked at her father, hoping he would know what to do.

“I'll make the payment,” he told the nymph.

“No!” Renya yelled, but her father held up his hand. “Let me do this, Renya.”

The nymph laughed, airy and light bursts of sound that resonated throughout the strange passageway. “It requires more than you can give, King Cyrus of the Sun Realm. But, you can go first.” She held out her hands to Cyrus, and he grabbed them before Renya could react.

“Done,” the Nymph said, and her color seemed to brighten a bit.

“What happened?” Renya asked Cyrus.

He flexed his fingers and then straightened his glasses. “My magic...my magic is gone.”

“Temporarily,” the nymph said. “As long as the three return, it will be restored. But that was not payment enough. All must pay.”

Renya gulped and looked at the group. “How can we face whatever trials are ahead without magic?”

“You must,” Cressida answered. “It is a part of the trial.”

Renya squared her shoulders. They hadn't come this far just to give up. She offered up her hands, and she felt a spark as she joined palms with the oread. Then, as if through a running faucet, her magic was drained.

The sensation was unlike anything Renya had ever experienced. It began as a tingling in her fingertips, spreading up her arms like icy tendrils. Her chest tightened as she felt the essence of her power being pulled from her very core. It was as if a vital part of her was being siphoned away, leaving her feeling hollow and vulnerable. The world around her seemed to dim slightly, colors losing their vibrancy as her connection to the magical realm faded.

She felt woozy for a second, her knees threatening to buckle, but then she recovered quickly, taking deep breaths to steady herself. The nymph glowed even brighter, seeming to absorb the magic that had been a part of Renya.

To her surprise, Julietta lined up next. As soon as she joined hands and the exchange was made, the nymph seemed taken aback. “You have much power for someone so small,” was all she offered for an explanation. One by one they came forward, except for Phillippe and Esmeralda, who had absolutely nothing to give. Even Triston and Grayden had a bit left for the nymph to take.

Cressida went last. Renya was shocked that she would part with her powers so quickly, but it was over and done in a flash. Despite the tiny scowl on her face, she seemed unbothered.

“The payment is enough,” the oread declared, and the shimmering haze that separated the tunnel from the inside of the mountains fell.

Grayden made a movement towards the archway, but was instantly thrown backwards onto the rock and pebbles now lining the beach.

“Grayden!” Renya exclaimed.

“I'm okay,” he said, picking himself up and dusting the sand off of his tunic. He shook out his hair, and sand rained down on them. “What was that?”

The nymph looked at him, but didn't say anything.

“Three can pass,” Cressida mumbled, and Cyrus nodded in agreement.

“I think you're right, Cressy.”

For once, Cressida didn't scold him for using his pet name for her, and looked at him without disgust. Renya immediately noticed the look, but didn't have time to analyze it.

“Which three?” asked Agatha.

“Renya.” Cressida instantly responded, eyes flicking towards her. “The deer.”

“A deer? Why me?”

“You've always been drawn to elkten. Even as a babe. And it's your mate's guardian animal.”

“Then why not me?” Grayden asked, and Renya could tell that he was not happy about the possibility of her doing this without him. She knew he would take her place in a heartbeat if he could.

“Because it's not,” Cressida responded.

Grayden frowned, and opened his mouth to argue, but Cressida stopped him. “You're not the light bringer.”

The prophecy. It all made sense. It had to be Renya. But who else?

“The Fox...” Cressida said, instantly looking at Selenia. “The clever, sly Fox.”

“Absolutely not!” Sion yelled, shielding Selenia with his body.

“Do you think this is my choice?” Cressida responded. “This has been foretold.”

“Sion. She's right. I...I can feel it. Even with my magic gone, I can still...I know.”

Cressida looked smug.

“Fine,” Sion said, looking at the ground, and Renya could tell he was incredibly upset. She watched the interaction between the two, seeing such similarities in her relationship with Grayden. Selenia moved in to kiss Sion, and he seemed to soften.

Just like Grayden would.

“Who's the last?” Agatha asked, looking at her sister.

“Phillippe.”

Momentarily stunned, the group was silent for several seconds.

“How can that be—”

“Never had magic—”

“—must be mistaken—”

“Silence!” Cressida commanded, and the outcry stopped.

Phillippe stepped forward, his face a mask of determination tinged with uncertainty. Renya's gaze shifted to Esmeralda, whose eyes widened in shock and fear. The princess's hands trembled as she reached out to grasp Phillippe's arm, her knuckles white with the force of her grip.

“No,” Esmeralda whispered, her voice barely audible. “You can't go. We don't know what's in there, what dangers you'll face.” Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over.

Phillippe gently placed his hand over hers, his thumb stroking her skin reassuringly. “If it's me, I'll gladly go,” he said, his voice strong and steady despite the conflict evident in his eyes. “But I have my doubts.”

“I've never seen more of a bear than the one before me,” Cressida replied.

Esmeralda's breath hitched, a sob catching in her throat as the reality of the situation sank in. She buried her face in Phillippe's chest, her shoulders shaking with silent tears. Phillippe wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as he looked over her head at the others, his expression a mixture of resolve and concern.

“How do we test it?” Renya asked Cressida, her heart aching for Esmeralda and Phillippe.

This time the oread spoke. “Three may pass,” she repeated, standing in front of the archway.

“Well, I guess that's how we find out.” Renya moved to Grayden and gave him a passionate kiss. She pulled away, but he tugged her back to him, resting his head against hers.

“Come back to me, my Lightbringer. And whatever you do, don't risk our daughter.” He placed his hand over her middle, and Renya watched him swallow hard. She couldn't believe he was letting her go, but he'd changed so much over the last few months, trusting her and letting her come into her own.

“I promise,” she whispered, as he removed his belt and tied it along her waist, pushing his sword into it.

She moved towards her aunt and her father, who each gave her a huge hug.

“You've got this, Sunshine,” Aunt Agatha said. “And I'll watch out for your mate.” She winked.

Renya moved back towards the screen, standing directly in front of it, just steps away.

“Wait.”

Renya turned her head, and to her surprise, Cressida moved over to her, with her back to the group. She reached out and cupped Renya's cheeks with her hands.

Renya wanted to shudder at her touch, but the reaction didn't come.

Violet eyes met blue. Then she spoke, her tone hushed and low so the others couldn't overhear.

“You are meant to do this. I'm more sure of it than anything. You will come back, safe and sound—or else I wouldn't let you attempt it. I know I've never been a mother to you, never—never shown you the love I should have. But...whether you want to acknowledge it or not—it's there. Come back safe, my daughter. My Renya.”

Renya blinked, stunned by her mother's words. But before she could fully process them, the nymph motioned her forward, and Renya moved in front of the barrier.

“Wait for me,” Phillippe teased. “If the old witch is correct I'll be right behind you.”