章節 675: Seed vs Source
"Experiment? I know you are trying to stay distracted, Rory," Brinn tried to word things carefully. When the Empress was sad, she often threw herself into other projects to keep busy. "But I don't want to be your experiment."
Aurora understood her friend's worry. "I worded that poorly. I am not just trying to distract myself." Though Aurora knew she would have trouble sleeping tonight knowing her husband was out there somewhere, that was not her aim. "I have a theory."
Leaving behind the comfort of their spot, Brinn and Alvar came and cozied in next to Aurora. Only Nurlan was unwilling to join them, staying close to Isbora's back paws while she lay on her side.
"What is your theory?" Brinn asked quietly in human speak. The Empress wasn't sure if this was to include Nurlan or exclude the bears from their discussion.
"We don't have to be secretive," the Empress assured her. "You said you feel good. Does that not strike you as curious?"
The she-elf furrowed her brow. "What do you mean?"
Aurora tapped her forehead with her glove. "Think about it. If I had asked you any other time during this trip how you were feeling, good or great would be the last words you would have chosen."
Brinn and Alvar looked at one another. The Empress continued.
"You have both been exhausted and utterly depleted since leaving Valiant. I could see it on your faces. Only your utter determination has gotten you this far."
It was true. Although neither of the elves would have admitted this to anyone else, most days they were barely hanging on. Behind her winsome smile, Brinn could feel her age catching up with her. She was young by elven standards, but in non-magical years, she was ancient.
"We just went through one of the most physically taxing ordeals in that storm today. We all nearly died in that cold. You should be spent. I am. Yet you feel good..."
"I see what you mean about curious," Alvar spoke before Brinn could. "Do you think the cold somehow invigorated us?"
"No, but I think the Seed did. I have been wondering why the bears don't seem to be affected by the death of the magic. At first, I thought maybe they were just ancient creatures without any magic, but then how would they have helped forge the Fate's chains? It didn't make sense. I believe that fire inside them burns too hot to be natural. Which means something is fueling them. I think that something is the Seed." Aurora laid out her thoughts before the others.
Alvar nodded slowly, but Brinn was not as quick to agree. "What makes you think the Seed could power anything?"
"Hanna thinks it can restart the magic, so it would make sense that magic is in it. The Seed is a portion of the Source, is it not?" The Empress paused as Isbora shifted her weight behind them.
"That is what the myths say," Brinn chewed the inside of her cheek slowly. "But then why did we lose our magic?"
"Maybe the Seed can only spread its magic a little way, like over just the South. Or maybe you have to be attuned to it instead of the Source. I am not sure, but that is what I want to test." The fiery-haired woman hesitated.
"You want me to try to use my magic?" Brinn arched her brow. Alvar also seemed wary of the suggestion.
Aurora winced. "As long as you don't think it would be too dangerous. I wouldn't have suggested it at all if Brinn had said she was feeling poorly. The fact she has some energy gave me hope that..."
"I'll do it." No one had seen Gandr approach. Having been an agent of the gnome king for years, the halfling was very stealthy when he wanted to be.
"If you are about to give another speech about how you have nothing to lose and deserve to die, I might smack you," Brinn rolled her eyes.
Gandr grinned as he pulled his collar tighter around his face and drew nearer. "I was actually about to say I was curious and don't mind giving it a try."
"Oh," Brinn leaned against Alvar who hugged her with one arm. Gandr sat before them, creating a strange circle with Nurlan being farther out.
"Now, what should I try? Earth moving would not work, most likely. If there is any ground, I would have to manipulate it through the ice without being connected to the earth in any way. I think that is a little beyond my ability even on a good day. That leaves air." Gandr saw all the expectant faces and his grin grew. "Nothing like having a captive audience."
Gandr held out his hand. The others leaned over it, holding their breath.
"Boo!" the halfling startled them. "I couldn't resist. Alright, I am really going to do it this time."
Aurora could see that the halfling was more nervous than he let on. She smiled warmly and gave him an encouraging nod.
Taking a deep breath, Gandr blew into his fisted glove. Nothing happened.
"Hm," he took another breath and blew again.
"What are you doing?" Aurora asked after a third puff.
"I am trying to warm up my hand enough to take off my glove. If it doesn't work, I want to be sure that it isn't because the fabric was preventing us from seeing anything." Gandr also worried that the cold and several other factors might affect the outcome. He wanted to remove as many variables as he could.
At last, Gandr removed his glove. The biting cold meant he only had a moment or two to act. This time he blew onto his open palm.
The hot puff of air made a cloud of steam that swirled around the halfling's palm.
"Was that you or just because we are huddled around?" Brinn asked.
"I'm not sure. Lean back and I'll try again. Hurry!" Gandr could feel his fingers becoming numb.
Even if the magic worked, he wouldn't be able to use it if he couldn't feel his fingers.
The others gave him space and he took as deep of a breath as he could.
He blew out with such force that a small whirlwind formed on his hand. However a stray gust took his little air funnel as soon as it was made. Gandr was forced to put back on his glove.
"I still don't think that proves anything," Brinn didn't want to come to any conclusions based on such a meager show. "You could have gotten lucky with the currents or you could have had just enough magic left in you to tickle the air."
Alvar opened his mouth, but couldn't refute Brinn's words. He shrugged. "Should I give it a try then. It didn't kill Gandr to try, so attempting should be fine."
"No need," Aurora said, a small smile coming to her face. "You can try if you want but there is no need, is there, Gandr?"
The two locked eyes. The halfling was startled for a second, but then he smiled as well.
"Indeed. I feel the magic returning." Gandr nodded slowly at the Empress.
"You feel it?" Alvar's eyebrows rose. Magic had always been a part of him, so feeling it had never really been something he thought about.
Gandr pulled his lips to one side. "I should say I have feelings from the magic. Her Majesty's feelings. I can sense them again!"
"Really?" Brinn eyed him skeptically. "How is she feeling right now?"
Gandr's smile grew. "Excited. Very excited."
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