“Why?”
“No one knows. Although, long ago, in an age before mortals walked our worlds, it was said that Theht also used this same magic—black magic.”
Is that why I saw Theht when I spellcasted Mom?
I swallowed my fear, uncomfortable with the implications. “If Mom is a witch, then do you think I might be a witch, too?”
“No,” he answered. “I observed you astutely when you were a child. You have only ever wielded the amber magic of Earth Kingdom and the blue of Faythander. You did not inherit your mother’s ability to control black magic.”
“Geth uses black magic,” I said, “and the Regaymor—their magic was also black.”
Father nodded. “Yes, black magic has become more rampant of late, although I do not know why. In the past, those who practiced black magic banded together, calling themselves the Trias Recludam. They were a powerful force on Faythander for more than one hundred years. At first, their intentions were peaceful, but with time, many witches became unstable. It was believed black magic drove them to insanity. Many of them became evil—murderers, and the like. They struck fear into the elves until they, ironically like their ancestors from Earth Kingdom, were burned to death. Whether here or on Earth, witches have always been feared.
“When I first met your mother, I was impressed with her skills in magic. It didn’t take me long to determine she was a skilled practitioner in black magic. She used her powers to her advantage when she joined the Caxon. Gaining rank in their society was easy for her to do.”
Father sipped his tea as I tried to process his words. My mother was a witch. How could that be possible?
“When the elven government learned of her powers in magic, they feared her. There were a few who still practiced the beliefs of the Trias Recludam, although none of them actually wielded black magic, but it was the elven government’s fear that your mother would join them and restore a dangerous religion.”
“Did she?”
“No, she was never interested in the creed of the Trias Recludam.”
“But what of the elven government, did they believe she wasn’t interested?”
“No. And after her association with the Caxon, a price was put on her head. To this day, if your mother ever returns to Faythander, she will be killed. That is why it is so important for her to be without her powers, for the spell not only took away her memories, but her magic as well. She is safer without it.”
“Do you believe the magic would actually drive her insane?”
“It is quite possible.”
“Is there any way she can keep her magic without it driving her crazy—and without having to lose her memories?”
He hesitated. “I do not know.”
“What if she stayed on Earth and never returned to Faythander?”
“It would be too risky—a risk I would not be willing to take.”
“Wouldn’t it be an even greater risk to take her memories away once again?”
“You do not understand. Kasandra cannot be allowed to wield black magic. She is not only a danger to herself, but to everyone around her.”
“But you didn’t see her while she was in Earth Kingdom—you not only took away her powers and memories, but you took away her soul. No person should have to suffer the way she did. Why can’t you understand?”
“What would you have me do, Olive? Either way, your mother is doomed.”
“I refuse to believe it. Witches in Earth Kingdom were not driven to insanity the way they were in Faythander. Let her stay on Earth and keep her memories—it may be the best solution.”
“Very well,” he finally conceded, “but if she shows even a hint of the insanity, I will make sure her powers are removed. Permanently.”
The tone of his voice made me shudder. At least I’d convinced him not to wipe her memories for now, which was better than the alternative. This seemed like a good time to bring our conversation back to the reason I’d come here in the first place.
“Father,” I said, “do you know who might be searching for the orb?”
He shook his head. “It could be anyone, especially if a goblin has boarded our vessel.”
“Have you been able to detect magic coming from someone—perhaps someone who shouldn’t be able to wield magic?”
“With the loss of magic, I would not be able to say for sure. But I can say this—someone in a position of power will seek the orb, someone who will have much to lose if the magic is not restored.”
“The elves have the most to lose.”
“Indeed.”
I eyed him. Did he know something he wasn’t telling me? It wouldn’t be out of character. After all, Father loved his riddles. I knew he’d never come right out and accuse one of his fellow elves of stealing the orb, but he’d given me enough.
There was only one other elf aboard the ship who was as powerful as my father. With luck, the princess would still be in our room
I knew where to go next.
Chapter 24
I wandered the halls of the Sea Ghost, contemplating the conversation with my father. He hadn’t accused anyone directly of stealing the orb, but he didn’t have to.
Someone in power would want the orb—someone who had a lot to lose. And they may have started the fire above deck as an opportunity to search for it. I’d sensed magic in the fire, and only a few people onboard still possessed magic, like my father, who still had some use of his. So far, the princess appeared to have no magic, but it seemed illogical to suppose that she had none at all.
Princess Euralysia had been sick since
