Blood Magic's Bond

Ch 20: The Re-Authentication Ritual

The Royal Magic Advisory made quick work of bringing the essentials for the ritual to the healing ward.

The King had forced his way into the room despite Errant's pleas, citing the magic Helia had felt in the connecting scars as proof enough that Astasha was in control. Beside himself with fury at all that had occurred while he was barred from the room, he was even more furious that there was to be another Authentication Ritual involving his son. But Astasha had watched as Calder calmed his father, reassuring him that everything would be alright.

It was extremely rare that the ritual was performed on two people at once due to the risks of traversing multiple minds at the same time, but it was argued that with their connection, it could be potentially more dangerous with only one. And so, with the room at last ready, Astasha and Calder laid down next to each other on two beds that had been pushed together.

While she knew this was their best chance of finding answers, it still bothered her that their memories would no longer be theirs alone. The five sorcerers that now stood around them would know every intimate detail of her relationship with Calder. All of the things she had spent insurmountable amounts of energy shielding from suspicion, she was now openly allowing them to see.

Her heart raced as Cal took her hand in his, and she looked over at him to see the same concern on his face. They shared a moment between them, both knowing this was the last time their story would be their own.

The King stepped next to them and cleared his throat, pulling the two from their thoughts. "I call upon you, the Royal Magic Advisory, to authenticate the story of my son, Calder, heir to the throne of Trenue, and Sorceress Astasha, Fire Witch to the King."

"As we shall do." answered Errant.

And so the ritual began, Cal never letting go of her hand as the runes were drawn first on her exposed stomach, and then his.

Everything felt so vastly different from the last Authentication Ritual that had taken place upon the Prince’s return. From the tone in the King’s voice, to the tension in the air, the two scenarios could not have been further apart in likeness.

Astasha could feel the energy from the group flow into her, connecting her to them, before joining it with Calder. Suddenly, she was pulled into memories of long ago. Some were her own, others she knew were his. From their first meeting, all the way to their last moment before the King had commenced the ritual, they even witnessed the true story of Calder's time in the Land of the Dead, and Astasha's tormented struggle with deciding to join the Advisory.

They had traveled through years of memory, yet only moments later, the ritual was done, and the Advisory stepped back. She had been dreading the reactions of those around her, and from the red cheeks of Bryn, to Errant's extremely furrowed brow, she could tell everyone was more than a little uncomfortable with what they had witnessed.

The only one who seemed unfazed was Helia, who had a pensive look on her face.

As the ritual was called to a close, the King raised his eyebrows expectantly. "Well, did you find the answers you were seeking? Or do we need to delve more into my son's private memories for you to come to any kind of solution to this problem?”

"Your Majesty," it was Helia who spoke, which surprised the King, who had been fixated on Errant. His gaze turned to the sorceress. “I have studied magic far and wide, but never have I seen what is happening between these two. The blood ritual Sorceress Astasha performed was more advanced than I think even she realized."

"Advanced, dangerous, and reckless." Spoke Errant. He was almost glaring at Astasha but she refused to cast her eyes down. Yes, she had acted rashly, but who wouldn't in order to save the one they loved? She had been paying the price ever since, and yet, she would do it all over again for Calder in a heartbeat.

"Regardless," Helia continued. "It seems that when she altered the ritual to pull the demon from the Prince into herself, the blood magic required an exchange of some kind. Energy transfers, and so it seems, part of her power transferred to him. And when she bound the demon, because they were engaged in a… more intimate… scenario, it bound the two of them together."

Everyone was silent as they thought about what Helia was saying, but upon consideration, Astasha had to admit, it made sense. There was so much unknown about blood magic, just as there was even less known about s*x magic, but the combination of the two was completely unheard of.

The King was shaking his head. Not only was he the only one who hadn't seen the ritual in some manner, but he was a ruler, not a sorcerer. His knowledge of magic was limited to what he had learned in study or from his Advisory. "For the sake of the Gods, speak in terms I can understand."

"All we need to understand, Your Highness, is how to sever the connection and safely absorb this power from the Prince," said Errant. "Then we can focus on extracting the demon."

Astasha knew what the Grand Sorcerer's priorities were, and despite his promise to Calder, there was no doubt in her mind that he would use whatever means necessary to see them through, her safety be damned.

Helia seemed to have a different view than him, however. "Errant, I don't believe there is a way to break this connection. It was created through blood, which now runs in both their veins. You would literally have to find a way to separate his from hers before extracting the magic from it, which sounds far more complicated than a basic Extraction Ritual, and we both know how far from simple that is.”

Astasha could tell Errant was battling the idea of having to accept what the sorceress was saying. But Helia continued anyway.

“I think the most important thing we can do now is reinforce the trap, and search for another way to draw the demon out and destroy it. Now that I’ve seen exactly what Astasha did, I think I can help strengthen its bonds for the time being.” She turned a stern look on Errant. “We need to take the time to evaluate and plan before we make things even more dangerous and complicated though. Your haste before, Errant, was what drove Astasha to such unknown magics. And while time was of the essence then, we have a little more of it now to do this safely and logically.”

Astasha was shocked by the forwardness of her fellow Fire Witch. Only the King had spoken to the Grand Sorcerer so bluntly before, and it was clear, whoever this woman was, she was anything but intimidated by Errant.

Errant, however, looked anything but pleased. In fact, he looked as though he wanted to curse Astasha where she sat.

There was an uncomfortable silence that seemed to fill the room as everyone waited for his response. But at last, he sighed in resignation. “Very well. We shall focus on making sure the demon is secure for the time being. Sorceress Astasha, you’ll need to regain your energy and strength, and Sorceress Helia will help you devise a way to reinforce the trap. But alternate protections will have to be placed as an extra precaution should it fail."

She nodded her head in understanding.

The King put his hand on Calder's shoulder, whose fingers had remained laced with Astasha's the entire time. "These last few days have been exhausting for everyone here. But tomorrow marks the end of celebrations and if we are to keep up appearances, we all must be present. I suggest everyone take rest and make preparations."

"I am sorry, but I cannot in good conscience allow Sorceress Astasha to be free to roam, Your Highness." Responded Errant. "The risk is too great."

Josnen seemed to consider this, as did Astasha. She knew he was right. Should the demon find a way to take hold while she was present at a celebration including some of the most important figures in the kingdom, it would be catastrophic.

"I am aware of the risks, Grand Sorcerer." Errant had been refusing to look at her, but he was forced to now. "I wish only to be allowed to return to my room. You can place whatever protections you desire there. With Helia present, I won't be needed for the closing festivities and can stay there under guard if that eases some of your fears.”

Cal's hand tightened around hers. "No. I refuse to allow her to be treated like a damn prisoner."

Astasha turned to him. "Cal, he’s right to worry. But I'll be in my room, not a tower cell. I can’t risk anyone else getting hurt though."

"Tasha..."

"Very well," interrupted Errant. "You shall be allowed to return to your chambers, but not only will barriers and shields be put in place, each of us shall stand guard in turns as added protection."

Astasha could tell Calder wanted to argue, but she squeezed his hand. “I understand. Thank you Errant."

The Grand Sorcerer barely tilted his head in acknowledgment before turning to the others in the room. "Bryn, Zephyr, please get Astasha to her chambers, where one of you will take the first shift. Cordelia, I need you to make sure the protections are in place. I will come later to reinforce them.” Finally, he turned to the older Fire Witch. “Helia, may I speak with you privately?"

She nodded as everyone else began to take action.

"I'm not leaving you," Calder said.

Astasha was about to tell him she would be alright, but the King responded before she could.

"Calder, you need rest. I promise you will be allowed to see her again soon enough, but right now, I need you to think as the heir to the throne, not a man in love."

Bryn and Zephyr were at her side. "I'll be alright Cal." She touched his face and then the scar on his chest. "You'll be able to feel if something is wrong and can come to me."

"Sorceress..." Zephyr held out his hand to her.

Calder's face told her he wanted to refuse, but he took a deep breath. Leaning in, he brushed his lips gently against her forehead, and a warmth spread through her. "I love you." He whispered.

"I love you too," she whispered back before taking her hand from his and placing it in that of the Air Sorcerer. She felt her body become light like air, magic from Zephyr to relieve her the pain of travel, and then Bryn gently lifted her and carried her away.

She watched Calder stand as if to follow, but his father put a hand on his shoulder. They locked eyes for a moment, and then the door closed behind her and her Prince was lost from sight.