Mythic (NaNoWriMo14)

Chapter 24 - Plans

Qariinn, leader of the Unbounds and all-powerful djinn of the ley spread his arms wide in welcome.

"And so, brothers and sisters, we must remain united! For it is only together that we shall take back what is rightfully ours and cleanse the portals of these human defilers! The reclamation is nigh, and none shall stand in our path!" 

Cheers echoed around the room as Qariinn threw his hands to the ceiling. 

"And now, my kin, let us feast!"

With the attention of his audience diverted to their food, the djinn descended from the newly raised pedestal in a flurry of multicoloured robes. He passed a quick blessing to a dryad Mythic waiting at the bottom, waiting until she'd skipped off before he nodded at Allegra across the room. She caught his signal and disappeared among the tables to find those he needed.

The djinn continued to the heart of their new location, another fae temple, if a little less impressive than the last. The hotspot itself equaled the power of the first, but it didn't have the same elegance. The same finesse. The carvings were heavier, the designs less thought out, but it mattered not. In the end, this temple was close enough to Leristith to use as a base, and with the forest to hide them, they would remain under the radar until Qariinn was ready.

That time was nearly here. 

Qariinn swept through the doors to the heart, relieved by the familiar sight. Even the archangel at his desk, waiting exactly where he'd been told did not spoil the view. No matter where it was, the heart never changed. The stairs, the statues, the serenity of the waterfall, bliss. In their time of need it had expanded to encapsulate their entire number, but for now, its usual size was all he required. 

"Now, Ill'iryni," said the djinn as he approached the archangel. "What progress have you made with the chaotic we captured?" 

*+*+*+*

Allegra threaded her way through the crowd, her steps quickened by her natural agility. 

I think I saw the valkyrie with the spirits before, said Niari.

Allegra changed her direction at the suggestion. Thanks. Wouldn't want to keep Qariinn waiting. 

No problem, said Niari. Let me know if you want me to pay attention up there. 

Will do. 

As much as Allegra believed the djinn when he spoke of the natural order, that this cattle treatment of Mythics was far from natural, she wasn't convinced that humans were entirely bad. Sure, some didn't deserve to be within the presence of ley, much less the ease it could grant to their everyday lives, but Allegra didn't share Qariinn's hatred. 

Maybe she'd just got lucky. Niari and she both appreciated the stars. They shared a love of horses, of the forest, points that'd helped them bond when Allegra first surfaced, thanks to Qariinn's suppressing aura. Niari had shown her how to do basic things Allegra hadn't entirely grasped, like fixing her own clothes, and it wasn't uncommon for Niari to read her a book. Allegra herself loved the stories the characters conveyed, but the letters were hard for her to read. Niari was more than happy to help. 

Still, it wasn't something Allegra planned to advertise to the rest of the Unbounds. 

 Allegra found the valkyrie sitting with the spirits as Niari had said. 

"Svala?" she asked, approaching the valkyrie from behind. 

Svala turned, the fierce expression that often left Allegra awed never changing as she regarded her.