“Her duties could send her away, though,” Glynna said. She
neatly folded her legs and floated down until she sat facing them, so they made
a little triangle. “Those of us with great Giftings have greater obligations to
sacrifice.”
“Yes, and you show great wisdom and devotion in wanting to
prepare against that day, Princess of Westerland. What I am about to show you
is within your skills and strength. But be warned: the stronger the magic and
the more powerful the blessing, the greater the danger of it turning to poison
and curse. Your heart will be too tightly tied into this gift for your kingdom,
and the heart can destroy when it is broken.” He tapped two fingers to his
breastbone, then gestured at Arden’s chest. “You must be strong. You must be
pure. And you must fight against bitterness, no matter how tempting.”
What he told them to do surprised Arden with the simplicity.
Glynna laughed, when she confessed that surprise to her on their long walk home
to the palace.
“The most effective and useful magic is often the simplest,” her
teacher agreed.
The plan, however, could not be implemented now. Arden needed
time to gather up the energy this task would require, a little at a time. She
needed to weave together the life and beauty and purity of Westerland all
through the growing season and the harvest.
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