Moonlight Relic, Ch 10: Friends and Relics (Patreon)

“There’s not much space inside,” Aemilia said as she left him at the door with a concerned look. “Come home for dinner after.”

Sam reflexively reached out and hugged her, pulling her in tight before he let her go. The world was doubled around him as he saw himself from two angles, but as long as he moved slowly, it was working. He would have liked to promise her that he would be more careful, but the world was dangerous and he would only break it the next time there was a fight. Instead, he just gave her a bright smile.

“Until the mountains crumble.” The words were from Siwasir, part of an oath the sylphs made to protect their home. For him, they fit the way he felt about his family. He staggered for a moment when he let her go, but he did his best to hide it. He pretended that he didn’t see the tears in her eyes.

Inside the house Siwasir, Raelia, and Danir were lying on low cots lined with furs that were arranged in a triangle. Siwaha was seated on a stool at the center. All around them, dozens of small plants were growing up from the floor, creating a nascent grove. Tiny white flowers like bells with purple centers blossomed among the leaves. Two sylphs with healing classes were moving around, helping where they could, but it looked like Siwaha was doing the most.

Raelia and Danir were half awake, but their faces were pale and they were thinner than they should have been, although they’d never had any weight to spare. Siwasir was bundled up in a fur blanket, but his chest was barely moving and his eyes were closed. His body was skeletal, the bones so sharp they looked like they could cut his skin. It didn’t look like he would wake up anytime soon. One of the sylphs was slowly feeding him broth that gave off a scent of vibrant herbs.

“Young hunter.” Siwaha turned around as she noticed Sam. The wrinkles at the corner of her eyes were sharper than ever, giving her features a stern cast, but she looked worried instead of angry. Siwasir was her son, and he was the most badly injured of them.

“Come in and sit here,” Siwaha continued, indicating a space beside her. “You do not look like you will be able to stand for long, despite your stubbornness. The vitality of these Spring Wind Blossoms is strong enough to aid one more. They help heal the soul.”

Sam hefted a leather backpack that dragged heavily at his hand as he went to join her. He’d grabbed it just before he left the house. One of the sylphs brought him a stool and as he sat down, he pushed aside his feeling of guilt, since it wouldn’t help anyone. They’d fought together and saved one another. Now, all he could do was try to help.

Siwaha gave him a calm nod and then she turned to Raelia, who had apparently been telling the story. “Child, please continue.”

“At the end, there was a flash of green light,” Raelia finished haltingly. Her voice sounded like the wind whispering faintly over leaves and barely rustling them. “That’s all I could see, and then we were pulled through the portal back here. Somehow, we were still alive.”

“It was thanks to Siwasir that we survived,” Sam added immediately as he turned his attention to his friend. “Without him blocking the elemental’s attack, we wouldn’t have made it out. What was the crystal he used? Will he recover?”

“That was a Tear of the Mother,” Siwaha explained, her eyes following Sam’s to the space on Siwasir’s chest that was hidden now. “They are the tears that the goddess wept when she descended to the mountain, after the death of her son. Some of the tears formed us, the Ice Sylphs, and others became holy artifacts. There are very few of them left. They allow us to communicate at a distance, but they are also blessed in other ways.” Siwaha touched the spot above Siwasir’s heart where the crystal had entered, her fingers light so as to put no pressure on him.

“It is thanks to the Tear that he will not die, but it will take a long time for him to recover his vitality. Years, perhaps even a decade.” Her voice was soft and solemn. “I am hopeful that the blossoms here will help, but they can only do so much.”

“Will this help?” Sam reached into the backpack and pulled out a crystal sphere of Earth mana, which he held out to Siwaha. It was about the size of his fist and very heavy, similar in weight to gold. There was a burning heat from it that blazed on his palm and it was lit from within by a silvery-white light.

“The Blood of the Earth?” Siwaha reached out and carefully took the sphere from him, wrapping it in a piece of leather before she rested it on her palm. Her eyebrows rose. “A rare treasure, Sam Hastern.”

“It is nothing important compared to Siwasir.” Sam shook his head. “I have to repay him for all that he’s done for me and my family.”

“The gift honors the giver, Hunter, more than the one who receives it.” Siwaha reached out and placed her free hand on Sam’s shoulder, smiling slightly. The light of the Earth mana lit her features with soft shadows, giving it a more hopeful cast. “That goes for both what Siwasir has done for you, and you for him. That is how friendship works.”

Before she could say anything else, Sam reached into the bag and pulled out more crystal spheres, stacking them in front of him. By the time he was done, there were twenty four of them. He hadn’t used much since collecting them, especially after hearing how rare the Earth mana was. Krana had insisted he be frugal with it and that a few drops were enough to stabilize most enchantments.

Siwaha had been surprised before, but her eyebrows climbed to the roof as she saw the rest of the spheres. She held up the one in her hand as she looked between them and Sam.

“Sam Hastern...” she said softly. “A single one of these spheres holds more value than the entire city of Highfold would generate in a month, perhaps even in a year. You would give them away so easily?”

“Yes,” he said immediately. It didn’t even require a moment to consider it. To him, the Earth mana was an aid in crafting, but not something he would sell for gold. His father was working hard to set up their shop, but there wasn’t a chance he would sell this either. It would be trading something priceless for piles of dust.

“Will it help them?” Sam’s attention turned to Siwasir and then to Raelia and Danir. “It’s too hot to use directly, but maybe if I infused it into a healing enchantment? I could inscribe it on the floor here, around the cots.”

Siwaha gave him a thoughtful look and then gazed at the sphere again, contemplating how to use it. Finally, she spoke. “Four spheres, Sam Hastern. That will be more than enough. One for each of them, and one for you. I will help you with the correct enchantment, which will need to be woven around the Spring Wind Blossoms here. If it works, it will intensify the healing process, and the Earth’s blessing will help to heal their vitality, and yours.”

The Earth’s Blessing she is referring to should be a form of aura. The Guardian Star spoke up. The Earth mana is unique in that it is not just mana. The stabilizing effect it has on enchantments has to do with the aura signature it carries. One of its properties is supporting other things, just like the Earth supports those who live on it.

Will it help Siwasir? Sam asked, tilting his head to examine the spheres on the ground. Four was nothing much. It would still leave him with twenty. Do you think four is enough? Maybe I should use eight for this.

If the enchantment is designed correctly, that aura might be transferred through the healing spell, repairing some of the damage that you and the sylphs suffered. However, there is a limit to how much can be infused at once. You do not want to overwhelm the recipients. Follow the elder’s advice. She understands the process much better.

Sam nodded, and then he pulled out a piece of chalk as he bent his head together with Siwaha, working out what was needed for the enchantment.

The next several hours passed in a blur of planning and rune patterns. It was eye-opening for him, since he’d never considered exactly how a healing scroll created vital energy from mana. Combining the enchantment with the Spring Wind Blossoms, which were some type of rare herb, was even more complex.

Fortunately, Siwaha knew most of the theory already, and at certain times, he had the impression that she was far older than he thought. He’d thought the sylphs were only a little longer-lived than humans, but there were moments when Siwaha would look at what he’d done and then alter it slightly, simplifying it all and bringing it more in line with nature

It was always with a part of the enchantment that corresponded to life or aura, rather than the more technical support patterns or energy links, but right then, it was like he could feel natural runes singing in her spirit. Still, he didn’t dare to ask her real age.

Five hours later, he blinked his eyes open and realized that he’d dozed off. He wasn’t sure how long it had been, but the light around him was different, letting him know that it was evening. A low conversation had brought him awake, and he caught just the tail end of it.

In a circle surrounding the three cots now, there was a sprawling enchantment diagram that glowed with the silver-white of Earth mana and the white-purple of the Spring Wind Blossoms. The runic lines wove around the base of the flowers, which were in the spaces for supporting and focal runes. Altogether, it formed a pattern that was half recognizable and half like a network of vines sprawling across a forest floor.

In the end, he had convinced Siwaha to let him use eight spheres of mana, which had been enough to fully charge every line and get the enchantment running. It was more than 2,400 drops of Earth mana, and he’d even crushed the crystal spheres into powder. The petals of the blossoms and leaves were dusted with sparkling motes that glowed softly, giving the entire enchantment an ethereal effect like stars in the night sky.

It was enough Earth mana to stabilize hundreds or thousands of artifacts, all of it poured into this single purpose. Sitting inside the circle was almost like bathing in the Earth mana pool itself; it was a hot, heavy pressure that poured into his meridians and spirit, filling them to the brim. Fortunately, the enchantment was gathering mana from the world at the same time, so he wasn't draining it.

Still, every time his essence was full, he poured it back into one of the input channels that he’d carved into the floor, reinforcing it just a little bit more. He would have liked to imbue the enchantment with some auras, but it might have interfered with the properties of the Earth mana and he didn’t have any left. That was something he would have to correct.

He looked around the circle, examining the pattern as he memorized every swirl. He’d been half-conscious for part of the construction and barely remembered doing it. Some of this had come from him, but a lot of it was from Siwaha. At one moment, it was a forest floor filled with curling vines and blossoms, and the next it was a tattoo fading into skin. Then it would flicker and he’d see the stabilizing lines and runic bands he’d drawn, which were more geometric.

When he turned his attention to the sylphs, he thought Siwasir looked slightly better than before, with just a touch of color in his skin. Raelia and Danir also looked a little less weary.

The enchantment is interwoven with the herbs, and together they are delivering aura and vitality to everyone within the circle. The damage to your aura healed by 3% while you were asleep. The Guardian Star said, sounding pleased. That is a rate of 0.6% per hour. If it continues like this, you will be healed in 160 hours, or slightly under seven days.

What about Siwasir? Sam asked as he continued to study his friend. How long will it take him to heal?

His aura is extremely weak and he will need to recover the vitality he lost. It is still likely to take six months to a year. The other two are in better shape. A month of resting here should be enough for them.

The words brought Sam some peace of mind and he let out a sigh of relief. Whatever else had happened, it looked like it was fixable. A month was a long time, and a year was longer, but it was better than being crippled or dead.

With that settled, it also meant that he needed to get back on track with his own timeline. The moons were almost aligned now. Once the first self-repair mechanism was functioning, everything else would be easier. If he missed the window, he was worried about what the next seven years would bring.

I don’t have a week, Sam thought back with a frown as he estimated the time. Another day has passed, which means the alignment is in ten days. I was planning to use eight to repair the relic.

If you spend your days working on the relic and only sleep here, it will take twice as long for you to heal, but it is possible. You should try to get the defenses on the plateau working after the repair mechanism, since the alignment may bring trouble. The energy flow will be noticeable.

It is true that it happens every seven years, the star continued, as if guessing the direction his thoughts might take, but this is the first time someone with the core enchantment has been connected to it in a very long time. Your presence has already altered the flow of energy and it will continue to do so, especially as the repairs progress.

Sam nodded as the plan for the next week or more clicked into place. He’d been staring at the enchantment for a while now, and when he turned his attention back to the sylphs, he saw that Raelia and Danir were both awake and talking to Siwaha. The word “Silvas” occurred more than once, as they analyzed what had happened.

Apparently, the moon’s involvement had not escaped them after all.

“It is not your fault, Sam Hastern,” Siwaha said as she turned toward him. “Old enemies exist in the world, like snakes lying in the grass. Sometimes we stumble upon them by accident, and that is better than being unprepared when they strike. All of you went out to defend the village, and that is admirable.

“But I am puzzled by one thing,” she continued, “and that is how you returned. Why did Silvas aid you? I can sense her presence here still, and I know enough to connect it with the green light that everyone saw. The mistar flowers on the slopes have turned toward her and the grasses are flourishing.”

“I called out to her,” Sam said simply. “I heard the legend that Silvas was a protector against the Demon of Sundered Blood, and we were in desperate straits. It worked, but I don’t know why exactly. I think the moons remember their old enemies as well.”

“Many people call out to the moons, Sam Hastern, or walk beneath their light as they hope for better days, but they are not heard. Perhaps there is more to the story.” Siwaha gave him a long look, but finally, a slight smile curved her aged features, bringing life to the wrinkles until they resembled the living bark of a tree. With that, the elder seemed content to let the matter go, leaving him with just a final word.

“Remember to spend time in the circle we made. It will help you to heal as well. You are always welcome in my home.” She motioned to the area beside him, where a fourth cot had been arranged. He’d been sleeping on the stool with his arms on knees and missed it until now.

Sam gave her a bow of apology as he gathered his things, both for not telling her everything and because her son was still injured. Then he was gone, doing his best to stay upright as he headed back to the guest house. He’d promised his mother that he would be home for dinner, and even if he was a bit late, he wasn’t going to let her down.

After that, he’d give himself a night to sleep in the enchantment before he had to get back to the relic. The minor issue of walking in a straight line was one he would solve in the morning.

---

“We’re going with you,” Krana gave Sam a stubborn look as he prepared to leave in the morning. It was barely dawn, but the Seer had figured out that he was sleeping at Siwaha’s house and was waiting for him as soon as he left. She was already decked out in her familiar chain mail and her silver mace was at her belt.

Lesat and Lenei were right behind her, their arms folded over their chests. They were somewhat irritated that he’d gotten himself into trouble without them. Lesat’s expression was his usual stoic endurance, which wasn’t ruffled by much beside the sky falling or near death. Lenei was more fiery, her expression promising a lecture of her own as soon as Krana finished.

“I promised to watch out for you!” Krana continued in a rolling grumble as she pounded her fist into her hand. “I can’t do that if you leave me behind! Do you even remember how important it is that you stay alive?! The survival of all the dwarven clans depends on it!”

Sam looked between the three of them as he let out a sigh. He hadn’t been trying to avoid them, but perhaps he had been impatient. If he’d waited an hour or two, they would have been willing to chase after the curseborn with him, or he could have given them a warning the night before.

If they had, it was possible they wouldn’t have come back, but he needed to be more diplomatic than that. They had all been good friends and allies.

“Alright,” he said at last, as he let the lecture wind down and considered the possibilities, “but my mother and sister need protection too. Why don’t one or two of you stay here and keep an eye on them, and then one comes with me?”

Krana frowned at him, but the excuse was good enough that it made her think about it. His family was in the sylvan village, and the sylphs wouldn’t let anything happen to them, but it was always better to have dedicated guardians. She also knew how he would react if his family were hurt. He already had a tendency to flare up.

“One here should be enough,” she agreed at last, “your mother is no weakling, and your sister is as likely to stab an enemy as anyone. The girl has a strong spirit, and she is well protected by both enchantments and friends.”

She exchanged a look with Lesat and Lenei, and then she reached down and pulled a few rocks from the meadow. She turned around for a moment and then back, holding out her fist with three stones poking out between her knuckles. “Shortest rock stays here.”

Sam sighed as he watched, even as he analyzed how much he had recovered from the night in the enchantment and what it meant for his ability to repair the relic. He had been about 4% recovered before, and with another nearly nine hours of rest, it was up to 9.5%. The star was keeping a running estimate for him.

He was able to walk a little more steadily, but running was hazardous. Fortunately, his grasp of the elements still felt solid, which meant they would push him along. If he went rolling along for a while, it would only hurt when he landed.

Lenei and Lesat each tapped one of the rocks between Krana’s fingers. Then she flipped her hand over, separating them out. She scowled a moment later when the smallest rock ended up being hers. A muttered complaint about “Fairness never helped a seer in a fight...” rumbled from her.

“Alright then,” she said as she tried to make the best of it. “I’ll stay with your mother and sister. There’s some good things to teach them and plenty of reason to do it. Your mother’s going to be a right strong Seer on her own in the future, and your sister...well, that child is a prodigy like I’ve never seen. It seems like she’s blessed by half the elements around here. It’ll be a pleasure to teach her some more.”

Krana hammered her fist against her chest in a brief salute as she accepted the role, and then she gave Sam a stern look. “You call me if you need help and I’ll come looking for you if you’re not back by tonight!”

“You’re a good friend, Krana. I know you won’t let them come to any harm.” Sam gave her a smile, his fangs flashing for an instant in the early dawn light. Then he turned to the two who had moved up beside him, one on either shoulder, and his expression became focused. Even with his improved Transfer Aura, it was going to take time to reach the central plateau and find the right broken connection.

All around him, the wind and snow began to blow, pushing up against his feet and theirs as their weight lessened. As the snowflakes flew around them, there was a taste of something strange in the air, like the scent of a rare fruit shifting on the breeze, that promised time was short. Behind him, Siwaha's house stood as a silent reminder of the fact that there were things in the world he couldn't control.

“We’ll have to run,” he said as gestured again. The wind blew harder, nearly lifting him from his feet. “The alignment is in only nine days.”