“It’s a sign. We must act.”
Dark wings batter my thoughts as fear stretches from my core, leaving icy trails. Rob’s face is paler than it was. He’s losing blood and needs attention, but the mob doesn’t notice or is too distracted to care. They’re shouting at each other, splitting into two sides. Those who want to go after the captured men and those who don’t.
Power bubbles in my belly, creating an effervescent sensation. I pull on that sensation and it swells. I focus my thoughts and my intention around it.
“Enough.” I don’t yell but my voice booms.
The mob immediately loses the reactive cohesiveness of insanity. The clan members step back and give us room to breathe. Rob stumbles and I catch him as two clansmen rush forward to help him.
The people, no longer a frightening mass but once more individuals, look at each other with shame, but that does no one any good. I look the crowd over, which has divided to either side of Rob and I along some invisible fault line.
On my left, at the head of that group is Agnes. She glares, crossing her arms over her ample bosom. The dour look on her face is a mirror to that of those grouping around and behind her. They’re a mixed lot in age and gender.
On my right is a similar mix but standing a foot in front of them is the man whose leg I set when we first got here. He’s standing without aid now, which is impressive. When he sees my look, he flashes a broad smile before replacing it with a harsh frown for Agnes.
“What is this?” I ask.
“We can’t go on a rescue mission,” Agnes says. “The Alaqhon, the Clan Chief, is not here, nor is Chief Johnne, no one has the authority to decide.”
“We don’t have time to wait,” the old man counters.
I’m stuck in a no-man’s land between the two sides and the barbs are flying. I look back and forth like I’m at a tennis match. Alesoun motions for me to come to where she stands halfway between the two groups. I take a step in her direction.
“Don’t think your witchcraft has gone unnoticed. We are a God-fearing people,” Agnes snaps.
I stop mid-step, head down, staring at the ground as my cheeks flush hot. I clench my teeth to keep my mouth from running off with words I’ll regret sooner than later.
“Leave the lass alone,” the old man retorts. “She’s done more to help than you have.”
“I’ll not hear your sass, Aillig. No more talk of the old ways or any other blasphemy you think you can get away with.”
Aillig takes an indignant step forward while the crowd on his side grumbles and tosses curses like verbal hand grenades going over my head. The tension between the two sides continues rising.
“Are you calling me a heathen, Agnes?” Aillig asks.
“Your words, not mine,” she says. “But if’n the cow comes to your calling then it’s your cow.”
“You think God Almighty had a hand in this?” Aillig swings his arm wide. “I lost my son. Cut down by those bastards. Half my clan is gone, and you don’t think it might be time to look at what we done to deserve as much?”
“What we’ve done?” Agnes retorts, her voice cracking as she steps forward with hands balled into fists. “What we’ve done is abandon our Lord God. We’ve strayed and this is our punishment!”
“I’ve not strayed.”
Aillig and Agnes stride towards one another, both ready to fight. Alesoun and I lock eyes. She doesn’t have to speak, and I don’t need magic to know her thoughts. She’s urging me to run, get out of the middle of this. Do not take a side, do not get involved, keep my head down and let them sort this out.
The old me would have done that very thing. Run away, avoided the conflict at all costs, and kept on with my own quiet life. I’m not sure when I changed but that’s not me any longer. What was that line from Spider-Man? Great power and all that.
I have power. Sometimes great power, but I’m beginning to understand that it’s not magic that gives me power. It’s standing up for what I believe in, for what’s right. That’s real power. I don’t need magic to stop this, because the way I see it, they’re both wrong.
Sorry,I mouth to Alesoun. She purses her lips, narrows her eyes, but that’s it. She understands, and that understanding brings warmth to my heart and fuel to my purpose.
These are my people now. I’ve chosen them, even Agnes and her set-in stone ways, and I’m not going to stand by while they tear each other apart. Not while there is breath in my body.
“Agnes, enough,” I say, spinning on one foot and facing the two opponents. “You too, Aillig.”
“I’ll not be taking orders from the likes of you,” Agnes says.
“I didn’t give an order,” I say. “It’s a request. Please. Stop. If only for a moment.”