itself needs strong protections. The True Father knows it’s here, does he not?”
“He does, though for now it’s safe on this side of the Mantle, where he can’t access it.”
A caldera could be created holding the memory of the route to the cornerstone. It would serve as a map for those who would one day need to find this place. Her mind raced, considering what would be needed to create both the map and some kind of protection spell.
She was so focused on her thoughts that she barely noticed they had arrived until she nearly ran into a stone pillar. She backed up to find a ring of such pillars, towering high in the air—each one must be as tall as five levels of steps back in the cave city. They were spaced about ten paces apart. In the center of the ring of stone was a caldera, an enormous one in the shape of an obelisk. It was blood red in color and rose even higher than the columns surrounding it.
“It’s magnificent,” she whispered, her head tilted up.
“How is it made?” Fenix asked, staring in awe.
“Blood magic and Earthsong. I built this here so that the Mantle could stretch the entire length of the mountain range. It is my life’s work.” Yllis placed his hand on one of the outer pillars. “I know of no other spell like it.”
“I have not heard of its like.” Fenix’s voice was hushed.
Blood magic and Earthsong. Her father had combined the magic in some way. The sheer size of the obelisk was beyond impressive—how much blood had it taken to create? She shivered, but not from the cold. A spell of this magnitude, one that could create a barrier so strong, it must have taken quite a lot of power. If Earthsong had not been present, she would have estimated this caldera would have required the blood of thousands, maybe more.
She tore her gaze away from the remarkable stone to view her father’s face. The Mantle had stood since before she was born and she was afraid to ask how many people had sacrificed their blood to create this. Plus, the most powerful calderas required death to activate. Did she even want to know?
Yllis caught her eye, noticing her fearful expression. His face softened. “We were at war. There was quite enough blood to use without my having to shed a drop from anyone. The erection of the Mantle changed the war. Now the True Father can only terrorize those on his side of it.”
Fenix had his eyes closed, both palms on the nearest stone pillar. “This is a clever spell. It fuels itself with Earthsong from all around, reaching deep into the earth and from the surrounding region.”
Yllis nodded approvingly.
“So what will Nethersong do?” Mooriah asked.
“Nethersong, Earthsong, and blood magic are needed for a defensive spell. Something to protect the cornerstone and reinforce it. Though creating this was a singular achievement, it is not infallible. And I have no illusions that it cannot be destroyed. I will tell you my theory on combining the magics, and then we will find a way to protect this place. The Mantle has stood for twenty-three years. I don’t know how much longer it will be needed, but it must not fall.”
“I understand, Father. I will do all I can.”
He smiled at her and her heart broke a little. He looked so tired, so worn. She had no idea of the burdens he’d taken on. When he’d built the Mantle all those years ago, he’d inadvertently become the only Singer left to the west of the mountains. He felt responsible for the actions of the True Father for reasons she never quite understood. But if this was the only way she could spend time with him, get to know him, she would do it. And protect his world in the process.
She just hoped it would not also serve to disconnect her from her own. Pulled in two different directions—family versus community, the man who’d abandoned her versus the people who never quite accepted her. She settled down to work wishing that her life could be easier. Wishing for something that could never be.
~ 7 ~
Fortitude Seals: A series of wards against true death by various means.
Absolute precision is needed, else failure is assured. The spell may be enhanced by the consumption of water blossoms or blister seeds—but only by those well acquainted with their side effects.