Endure - Sara B. Larson Page 0,18

our lives. If all the people in our world knew about the power the golden waters hold, what do you think would happen? And if the sorcerers in Dansii were to know what would happen to a Blevonese sorcerer if they attempted any sort of black sorcery, what could they do with that knowledge?”

I grimaced, imagining the catastrophic results. “So why don’t the sorcerers in Dansii die immediately from attempting black sorcery?”

“We don’t know. Some believe that one of the sorcerers who had followed Delun escaped the battle and fled to Dansii. Supposedly, he murdered the king and offered him as a sacrifice to the demons who empower black sorcerers, and in return, the demons kept him alive, saving him from the curse of instant death and banishment to the Inbetween. He then took the throne for himself.”

I shuddered at the thought of that sorcerer killing and sacrificing the king in order to get greater power. Perhaps that was the reason why — perhaps the demons protected them in Dansii because they were too far away from the Unknown Power in Blevon for the curse to take hold of them. Eljin’s story also made me wonder about the sorcerers who had once lived in Antion. What had they been like — and how many had there been before Hector had them all murdered? Had they been part Blevonese, as Damian was? Or had any native Antionese ever been granted such power?

When I spoke again, I changed the subject slightly. “Well, that explains why there could be no black sorcerers from Blevon. But it doesn’t explain why the Blevonese army wouldn’t use a black sorcerer from Dansii to help them, if they wished.”

“Because of the other part of the curse. Mokaro was also warned that if black sorcery breached the sacred ground of the temple again, all power would be stripped from the world. Every sorcerer would be destroyed.”

My mouth fell open. “So if Armando brings his black sorcerers to attack the temple, to try to gain access to the fountain … every sorcerer in the world will die?” My thoughts immediately flew to Damian.

“Yes, if he manages to breach the temple walls, that is what we believe will happen.”

A dark abyss of hopelessness opened before me. If what he was telling me was true, what chance of saving our people did Damian have?

“But Mokaro was also given a promise,” Eljin continued. “So long as he and his sorcerer descendants proved themselves worthy by using their power to protect, heal, and fight the evil brewing in Dansii — even giving their lives to protect the temple if necessary — they would be strengthened and given even greater power in their time of need.”

“Enough to stop Dansii?”

“I don’t know.” Eljin lifted one shoulder, his mouth pressed together.

“At least if Dansii does make it all the way to the temple and begins to attack, it gives your people the upper hand. It gives them hope.”

“Hope is a fragile thing.”

“But powerful.”

Eljin tilted his head in acknowledgment. “And now I have given you my burden — the fear and hope of what may come. Mokaro was instructed to only share his visions with Blevonese sorcerers within the protection of the temple walls. All of those who fight for Blevon in our armies are told just enough to understand that accepting help from a black sorcerer, or giving one support, would have catastrophic results for our kingdom and our sorcerers. But that’s all they’re told. They don’t know the details.

“In telling you all of this, I have broken my oath.”

His hands were clenched in the folds of his tunic, and he stared down at his feet, not meeting my gaze. I couldn’t fathom what it had cost him to tell me the secrets of his people. But what he’d shared with me was invaluable.

“Thank you, for telling me,” I said quietly.

“Don’t thank me,” he barked, suddenly angry. “I broke my oath. I may very well become Dish now when I die.”

I drew back, shocked. “I don’t believe that. You’re helping us, so we can help your people.”

He was silent for a long moment, his teeth clenched.

“Alexa,” he spoke to the ground, “we must stop Armando. We can’t let him reach the temple.”

“If he does make it there — if he can’t be stopped — and if he somehow reaches the fountain and drinks from it … what will happen?”

Eljin finally looked at me, his expression bleak. “I don’t know.”

“But … you said if your people continue