True to her word Glandria contacted the other mages and they quickly gave their consent to Launi’s idea, though they requested to speak to Launi herself.
Her heart was pounding from nerves as she sat down in the chair placed before the scrying bowl. Staring up at her from the surface of the liquid was one of the most powerful mages in the realm.
“Launi,” said the mage. “We’re so glad to be talking to you. We’ve been watching you for a long time as I’m sure your mother has told you. We have reason to believe that you are one of the most powerful mages this realm has seen in many years. You have shown a willingness to go to any lengths to help those in need and those you love, you have shown integrity and courage through the trials of the past days and throughout your life. We would be pleased and humbled to have you join us.”
Launi was lost for words. “Um, thank you,” she said.
“Glandria has told us of your idea about casting a warding spell. We agree that it is the best option we have, at least at the time being, and we have chosen to proceed with it. We are also aware that a spell needs to be cast to save your village and we have also granted that wish. We have one stipulation, however.”
Launi swallowed; her heart seemed to be trying to beat its way out of her chest.
“We would like you to participate in casting the spell. To be able to do it right and obtain enough power to protect the realm we need your strength.”
“But I’ve never cast a spell before. Until a few days ago I didn’t even know I could control magic.”
“That is no issue,” the mage said. “You will know what to do when the time comes. Your mother will be directing the spell, you merely need to add your strength to hers. This should not be a problem. Do you agree?”
Launi didn’t see how she could refuse. Her village and now the entire realm were counting on her. “Of course.”
“Wonderful. Let us know if you need anything else. Anything at all, you have our word. The entire realm will be in your debt after this.” And with that, the mage disappeared from the liquid in the scrying bowl.
It was too much pressure. She didn’t want the entire realm to be in her debt. She simply wanted to save her village and stop the dark mages from doing what they had again.
“Are you alright dear?” her mother asked.
“Yes,” Launi said, then paused trying to find the words to express what she was feeling. “It’s just a lot. I don’t want to be responsible for the entire realm. I’m just one person. I didn’t even know I had magic until a few days ago. I can’t do this. I’ve never even cast a spell.”
Glandria lay a hand on Launi’s shoulder and looked her in the eye. “I will be the one casting the spell, we just need you to lend us your strength. You won’t be alone in this. All of the light mages and I are behind you, supporting you. We believe in you and your idea. You can do this. You are not alone.”
Launi knew that her mother was trying to reassure her, but she couldn’t get rid of the knot in her stomach. She didn’t want to admit that to her mother, so she simply nodded and stood up. “We should get to work then,” she said, her voice sounding much stronger than she felt.
“Right you are,” Glandria agreed.
____________
The next day, the two of them stood on the mountain pass, surrounding by glistening peaks and a beautiful sunset. They were waiting for the sun to compete disappear over the horizon. It was only then as darkness truly began to fall that they would be able to cast the two spells. The first they’d decided would be a spell they’d found earlier that day to lift the curse off Launi’s village. This was the simpler of the two and the most urgent. If only one spell was to work that night, they would make sure it was the one to lift the curse.
Launi wrapped her cloak more tightly around herself; the mountain breeze was cold and cut straight to the bone. Swift was wandering around to his heart’s delight, grazing and investigating nearby plants. Glandria was standing straight and was emitting a sense of calm. Launi was curious if her mother was actually as calm as she seemed or was putting on a brave face for her sake. In the end, Launi supposed it didn’t matter either way.
They watched as the last rays of the sun sank below the horizon and out of sight.
“This is it,” Glandria said, stepping forward and into the ring of stones they’d laid upon the ground. The plants they’d gathered for the first spell were placed carefully around the circle. Glandria had explained that the plants represented different aspects of what they were trying to accomplish. Their medicinal powers and scents helped heighten and direct the magic.
Swallowing once, Launi stepped over the stones to stand beside her mother. Glandria had explained to Launi was she needed to do and she went over the steps in her head as she stood there waiting to begin.
The air around them began to stir and swirl around them. Launi felt as if an invisible force was penetrating her skin and filling her with a sense of purpose and power. In an instant, all of Launi’s fear and misgivings vanished. She looked over at her mother, who’s dark skin was radiant and her eyes were closed. Her lips were moving, forming silent words. Launi brought her gaze back in front of her and then she too closed her eyes.
Launi willed the magic she felt coursing through her body to move to Glandria. It was as if she stood in the middle of a river, the current pushing against her. At first, she was resistant, but soon she let go and allowed the magic to flow freely around and through her. She envisioned it moving from her to her mother, strengthing the spell.
Time seemed to stand still. Launi wasn’t sure how long they’d stood in the circle of stones, but when she felt the air around her still she opened her eyes and let her hold on the magic die away. A deep sense of calm and assuredness settled onto Launi and the knot that had been resting in her stomach since she’d first laid eyes on her village disappeared.
“Did we do it?” Launi asked, though she already knew the answer. “Did we save them?”
“Yes,” Glandria said smiling, Launi could in the dim light that her eyes were filled with love and admiration. “You could have done it on your own. I’ve never met anyone who could command magic as easily and readily as you. I’m so proud of you.”
Launi felt tears well in her eyes and she let them fall. “Thank you.” She hadn’t realized just how much it meant to hear her mother say those words.
Launi turned to face her mother and wrapped her arms around her. She held her close and buried her face in her shoulder. “Thank you,” she said again. Her thoughts flashed to her father and she knew without a doubt that he and the other villagers had awoken. “He’s okay,” she whispered into her mother’s shoulder.
“Of course he is,” Glandria said, hugging her daughter back. “Thanks to you. You are an amazing woman Launi. I’m so proud to see the person you’ve become. Your father did a good job raising you. My only regret is that I couldn’t be there with you.”
“That’s alright,” said Launi, still holding tight. “You’re here now, that’s what counts.” She pulled away and saw tears in her mother’s eyes.
They stood where they were staring into each other’s eyes until Glandria looked up at the dark, star-strewn sky.
“It’s time.”
Launi nodded and turned to face the horizon again, ready.
The forested valley stretched out before her, dark and welcoming. Behind her, and on either side rose the mountain peaks, protecting her. Beyond on the other side of the mountains lay a large expanse of rolling hills, another forest, a meadow and finally, beyond that, a village hidden among the trees. A village that had recently woken up from a long sleep under a dark curse. A village with a healer who’s daughter had embarked on a journey into the unknown with only the slightest chance of success. The healer’s daughter would become one of the village’s legends. The legend would eventually spread out into the surrounding villages and further still to reach the cities.
“The healer’s daughter,” they would say with hushed voices filled with awe. “A simple villager who saved the realm from the dark mages.”
“If you look up at the mountains, you might still be able to see her standing there, watching over and protecting us. She cast a mighty spell the night the dark mages fell. It is because of her that we are able to stand here today.”
“No one,” they would eventually say. “Should ever question the difference a single person can make. Everyone has the potential to change the world for the better. They just have to dig deep inside and find that part of them that is unwilling to quit in the face of hardships. Anyone can be like the healer’s daughter if they set their mind to it.”
THE END
I gave two essential oils to Julia for Christmas to strengthen her belief Iin herself as she finishes her thesis and applies for teaching positions. I hope, also, that you know the gifts you carry within you — you have written about them so powerfully– not that I am suggesting magic — but the strength of purpose, potential, and goodness.
This is so sweet. Thank you so much!