An old spell explained

Saira

While Aurelia was sleeping inside, I went over the book that caused all of this. It was as amazing as I could remember. The Spells mentioned in this book where extreme and some in languages that I'd never even before. Some pages appeared untouched by the caster, while there was one spell that had something spilled on the page, the bottom half of the page was ruined by it. There was no way to know now what it had said.

From what I understood it was a curse that stopped dragon shifters from having children. This was most likely the original curse on Aurelia's family from mine. Such an evil thing should not exist in our world. I wanted to tear it out of the book but that went against my beliefs and how to treat my books. We had to learn from the mistakes of others instead of trying to cover them up.

As I read through it, I found that there were many spells in the book that I couldn't hope to understand without help. It was probably for the best; I wasn't sure anyone should ever see the contents of the curses again. First, I needed to use it to break the curse on my lands, then I would decide its fate.

I could hear talking coming from inside the cave, so I got up and headed back towards the voices. Before I came to the opening, I could hear Aurelia talking. Relief flowed through me. I was so happy she was awake, Kairios was right, this was my fault.

I seemed to have walked in at the perfect time. The woman who was helping us, was telling a story. As she told it, it became clear what had happened to her mother all those years ago. The look on Aurelia's face was clear that she was not impressed by this news and she said as much. It was time to go wait outside again as the scene in front of me was uncomfortable.

The moonlight helped me feel more at ease. Its light always brought me some peace. I didn't understand how Aurelia could be so cruel towards her mother. Had it been me in her place, I would have been filled with joy knowing my mother was still alive.

After a few more minutes she walked out and came to sit beside me. I couldn't remember her name as my history with the dragon race was very limited and in fact discouraged while growing up.

"What are you reading?"

"It's a really old spell book from my Academy." As I said this, I held it up to show her. The look on her face was surprised. It was almost if she recognized the book I held up to her.

"I have seen this before, may I?"

I was a bit resigned in giving it over to her waiting outstretched hands. When I did hand it over to her, she held it very gently. She looked at the cover for a few minutes before starting to turn pages. She stopped on an interesting page, one of the spells that I didn't fully understand.

"I have to tell you something. It will be difficult to understand. And you'll have to be the one to tell the others when you guys leave here."

I wasn't sure what to say about her request and before I could say anything she started talking again.

"A long time ago my husband's ancestors were cursed by yours. I didn't believe in the gossips about it but then I met Aurelia's father and it proved to be true for him as well. I was devastated at the thought that I would never have a child of my own. I wanted to stop what was happening to us.

So, I talked to my best friend who had amazing magical powers and my friend with extraordinary Elf magic. Together we used this spell to help me have a child. That child is Aurelia. I had to sacrifice a lot to be able to have her. I give up my ability to change into a dragon.

Your mother was one of the ones to help me. She was pregnant with you at the time. We had to bind Aurelia to you. You girls been connected since before you were born. We both wanted to be able to have a future that was better for our children.

We hoped that together you would unite the Kingdoms and we could live in peace. Then Aurelia was taken and later I got word that your mother had died as well. But against all odds, you both found each other anyway. I believe there's still a chance that our dreams could be realized. Please tell them that part of my story. I don't think they will listen to me and I think they should know this."

It was a lot to take in all together. I had a lot of questions about how she knew my mother and what she was like when she was younger. She stood and left me with more and more questions building up. I sat outside for a while longer looking over my book. I was starting to get cold so I got up and went back inside.

Kairios and Aurelia were sleeping on the small bed in the corner so I moved around as quietly as possible. I set up my sleeping space near the fire to keep warm. I fell asleep quickly and slept soundly through the rest of the night.

When I woke the next morning, they were both awake and gathering themselves to leave. I wasn't ready to leave with so much unresolved. I got up and started gathering the few things that I had for traveling. I thought about trying to convince Aurelia to stay but Acantha walked through the small entrance.

She gave the maps to Aurelia, expressed her wishes and then Aurelia just left. I couldn’t understand her behavior and found myself angry at her for her actions. I thanked Acantha for her help then left to follow my friend. We walked in silence as we made our way down the mountainside. I needed the time to work through my disappointment in the situation When I was sure we were far enough away I retold what Acantha told me last night.

I could see the disbelief in their faces, part of me still had a hard time believing it as well. It was a lot to take in, the one thing that made sense and I was happy about was our magical connection. The way I felt safe with her was the same way I felt safe with my mother

"I don't know what you want me to say to that Saira. I don't see why I should care."

"It's our past. History is important. We need to know where we came from, we need to accept it so we can have a better future. How can you not see that?" Why was she being so arrogant!

"I can in a way see that. I just don't believe that I need to care about what she decided to do. So, she gave up her ability to shift to be able to have me, thinking it would save the Kingdom. Well look at what has all happened to us. My Father is dead, my Mother has wasted away in a cave while I was forced to live in one!

She left me with the responsibility to finish and fix all the wrongs from those who came before us. It seems to me that your expectations are that I should just forgive everything and move on from all of it without any complaint?"

"Thats not what I am trying to do. Though I do think you need to forgive so you can move passed it all."

“We are done talking about this. We have to keep moving." She turned and walked away from us.

I really had to think about what I was doing. I could see where she was coming from. All of our hopes were sitting on her shoulders. I couldn't imagine the stress that would cause. After a while Kairios went to find Aurelia, leaving me alone to think about how to handle to this mess. We were given the opportunity to save a lot of people, now and our future generations. We had to take it.

I could understand her anger at her mother. My family had tried to sell me after all, we had both been deeply betrayed. The only difference between the two of us was that I was ready to move on from all the pains of my past. I desired a happy future, for me and her.

If we didn't correct this problem, then we would lose the fight. We had a lot to overcome and with just the three of us. It began to seem impossible. I wondered about the people. Would they believe her identity? There was a large possibility that they would be too afraid to go against the Queen with no more proof than her word as a stranger.

If Aurelia and Acantha could go together in this fight, then the people would have the previous Queen to convince them. It would also be helpful to have her help us get some sort of army together. We also needed someone who knew the castles layout. If we could get someone in there to help us that would save us a lot of trouble in our plan.

There was no doubt that we would need more help. Aurelia would have to get over her anger and accept her mother's help. She was stubborn but I would have to make her at least listen, there was no more running away.