The Weaver's Source

Chapter 6

"No, we can't. David said I'm not allowed and I'm not going to stir trouble needlessly." I said urgently, digging my heels in and forcing Gabi to stop.

"This is not stirring trouble needlessly, Lyra. This is you grabbing the one you have been waiting for for years and keeping him close." Gabi said and tugged me.

"No, Gabi, no." I almost shouted irritably. "If he doesn't know me or even want me beside him then fine, I can live without him, and I'm not going to start a war between myself and the townsfolk."

Gabi froze and stared at me, slightly startled. 

"If that's what you want." She accepted then puffed out her cheeks as defiance returned. "But promise you you'll seek him out and address this with him. That man is someone to fight for and you know it. This isn't you being some lovesick maiden pining after a man, this is you doing your duty for your magic and to keep it safe; to keep him safe."

I blinked and glanced at our hands. She was right. I wanted to be beside him to learn more about my magic, what I could do and to hunt alongside him, keeping him strong and my magic safe. I couldn't do that without him, the other one my magic had chosen to protect it.

"I know." I murmured.

"And do you still stick by what you have always said since you were small?"

"Yes."

"Then we search for him and fight for him to recognise you." Gabi stated. "I'll go to the town and talk to him on your behalf."

Before I had a chance to latch onto her hand again, Gabi left my house and firmly shut the door behind her. I stared at the door with despair before the fear of embarrassment and of how I was undoubtedly going to react to him again. I was so torn. I wanted to fulfil my childhood promise, to do as a Source was made to do and protect my magic, but I was also torn by how the magic reacted to the Weaver in such a forceful way. It occurred to me then to think about how the Weaver would go about feeding from me. Did he bite me or something like some kind of vampire? Or was it some mystical transfer of wills? I didn't know and I wasn't sure I wanted to know by how foolish it made me feel.

With an irritated sigh at how scared I was of the man I had been waiting for, I decided it would be best to remain in doors for the rest of the day. Gabi would find him easily. Strangers were not often found in the town, especially lone Weavers. I grabbed one of the few books in the room and sat down on the floor, swivelling myself around so I could lay down with my legs on the leather and cushions of my father's ancient chair. Reading quietly helped keep my fears at bay, even if the book I read was one I knew off by heart. It was one my mother read to me as a child and always I could hear her voice speaking the words softly to me as I went to sleep. Needless to say after a couple of hours, I had drifted off quietly.

There I had expected to find my usual dream, finding the faceless man in the midst of a forest or field as usual. I didn't however. Instead I found myself somewhere dark.

Night was strong and the darkness was so overpowering I could barely see anything. The world was eerily quiet save for the trickling of water. I glanced down and noticed the river that ran just outside of town. It was moving slower than normal and appeared black almost. The moonlight flickering over its skin was the only way I knew it was there.

Gradually a new sound began to hum into life. It was singing. That same soft song Gabi and I had heard a few days ago and almost every night since. Something splashed in the water. With nowhere else to go, I decided to get a closer look. Cautiously I slid down the bank and walked carefully to the edge. There was another splash and a ring rippled out, churning the water's edge. I edged forward and teetered over, peering in. At first I saw nothing but black water. That was until the moon was unveiled completely and shone down on the river.