บท 138: Chapter 138: Failed Ritual

Garnet POV

NO!

The fire raging out of control and the smoke filling her lungs overwhelmed Garnet for a second. How could the ritual fire turn so deadly?

All around her in the square, flames raged. Sparks had shot into the crowd, and shifters screamed, dropping and rolling or beating at themselves. The shifters in wolf form especially dropped and rolled to extinguish their fur.

How could a sacred ritual flame explode that badly?

No time to analyze it in detail. "Clear the square," she ordered in a strong voice, trying not to cough. "Evacuate everyone. Get them to safety! Fire brigade!"

Jets of water hit the fire, conjured by Edna and Graydon Chalice as well as Ravyn, Anneliese, and Lilia. Thessi and Cyran added their powers.

The Fire Brigade raced towards the flames, carrying buckets. Two of the firefighters drove bronze orc-designed steam-powered contraption called a fire engine.

The little spurts of flame devoured the roofs of some of the buildings in the square. Garnet and Jiro directed the firefighters to aim the long, serpentine hose at the roofs, to keep the fire from spreading.

How could the ritual go so horribly wrong?

"Remain calm," Garnet shouted to the citizens streaming out of the square, escorted by enforcers as well as Patch, Dirge, Dane, Barrett, Zillah, and Naomi. "Please, remain calm. It's all under control. We'll have this fire out in no time."

Jude howled in agony. Probably from seeing other people suffering so badly from something that was supposed to be so straightforward.

Garnet's analytical mind ran through the possible causes.

Carelessness from the Wise Women? Impossible.

Lack of fire safety? No. The bonfire had been placed in a specially designated fire pit used for ritual purposes. Garnet and Jiro personally checked everything.

Magical forces out of control? A possibility, but all the witches and wizards had cleansed themselves, protected themselves and the ritual space, and they didn't even cast any spells.

What could it be?

* * * * *

MOMENTS BEFORE

Roslynn, Tulaska, and Eirika shook their rattles as they stood by the leaping flame in the firepit. Close enough to feel the heat and have sweat beads on their faces, but not so close anything could possibly catch on fire.

Roslynn chanted, "This tormented soul has wandered the dark path too long, away from the light. Finally, at the end, through self-sacrifice, Absalom Sinsworth, or Hades Ombra, has earned true peace and eternal rest in the Moon Goddess' arms."

Tulaska sang a haunting song honoring the Moon Goddess' wisdom that the entire pack and all the guests added their voices to, their heartfelt words soaring to the heavens along with the smoke from the sacred bonfire.

Kellam, as a healer, sprinkled white sage in the fire to cleanse the air.

Eirika finished, "The Moon Goddess always forgives. She loves her children, even if they stray. She waits to welcome them home. She sends signs to touch their hearts. It may be something as small as a whisper in the wind. It might be a wild boar rampaging across your path to compel you to choose another route. She always tries to get your attention."

Kellam chanted:

"This lost wolf, this wayward soul

Longs for your embrace

This innocent broken being

Yearns for your grace.

Bring the pup home, Goddess.

Bring the pup home.

Let this pup see your smiling face,

And no more he will roam."

Garnet found Jiro's and Cyran's hands. Talon, Kelara, and William stood, dignified with the rest of the royal family. Little William's face was innocent and serious. He seemed to understand what was going on, at least instinctively, and he even chanted along with Kellam's rhymes. Maybe, being a pure soul and a nice boy, he wanted Hades to be safe.

Jude gripped Ravyn's hand, muttering the rhyme. He'd certainly changed his tune from coldness and hostility towards Hades. Ravyn also prayed deeply.

Garnet surveyed the sea of wolf, human, elf, and other faces in the crowd. They all looked severe, stony-faced, except for one or two here and there who wiped away tears. At least they weren't booing or causing a riot.

Roslynn, Tulaska, and Eirika held their rattles high, and they all sprinkled specially treated white sage into the fire. They offered wolfsbane as well up to the flames and watched it burn, releasing its potentially deadly smoke to the heavens. Every wolf had stepped back from the vicinity of the fire. However, a pinch of wolfsbane was hardly likely to poison the entire crowd.

Garnet had just finished the thought when the bonfire exploded.

* * * * *

In the present, the flames burned hotter, even as the hose blasted them with a powerful jet of water. Hissing, crackling, the inferno jumped higher.

Garnet saw the flames eating up the sides of the wooden buildings in the square, and she sprang into action, carrying a bucket of water and throwing its contents at the burning buildings. She worked tirelessly along with the others, her muscles straining.

"Did we complete the ritual?" she asked. "Please tell me we did."

Tulaska grunted. "Essentially."

And a whisper of doubt entered Garnet's mind. "Essentially?"

"Maybe we didn't finish saying the blessing, but we said he was released," Tulaska wheezed, the smoke obviously getting to her. "If you want, we can complete it later when the world isn't on fire!"

Garnet nodded, battling to extinguish the flames.

* * * * *

Jude POV

How could this happen?

He could barely move, he was so disgusted.

How could those fools interfere with a sacred ritual? Who would dare? Who would deny Hades his eternal rest after everything?

Jude clenched his fists so hard that his claws pierced his palms. Ravyn gripped his shoulders, alarmed by his rage. "Jude! What is it?"

"They have no respect," he growled. "It's about respecting the pack. The goddess. Even if they hate him, they should still respect their fellow shifters. We should put out the flames. Let's help."

Ravyn nodded, casting her water and wind and fire-extinguishing spells.

Jude felt her power surge within him, lighting him up, making him feel even more powerful than when he was in wolf form. His hands tingled with energy. His wolf, Arcturus, leapt up and down, going crazy.

A wave of water flowed from Jude's hands, and he threw the unexpected water right at the fire, dousing it. He just kept battering the flames and hitting them with all the anger within him, until a column of smoke billowed, and he no longer smelled that destructive fire.

The sizzle and hiss of water striking flames, and the sense that the fires had been extinguished, made him smile broadly.

Utter silence spread across the square.

Jude whirled, seeing everyone else staring at him, open-mouthed.

"That was incredible," Talon murmured.

Kelara was awed. "You're a mage?"

Jude blinked. "Ah … I must have acquired some powers through the bond."

Garnet shook her head, her expression solemn. "No. I think you have witch or wizard blood. Jiro, Patch, Dane, and Dirge are nowhere near that powerful. And you didn't even use crystal magic. You've never shown any magical talent."

Jude glanced at his hands, and Ravyn pulled him into her arms.

What just happened?