Azriel focused on a point in the cavern as she felt the shift. Slowly she had learnt to surrender to herself, to chase down her demons and find a still space where she could reach into the very part of herself she had denied.
Malia was absolutely silent behind her, just a quiet encouraging presence now. She spoke very little in their sessions, allowing Azriel more and more space to experiment with herself and her powers. Since her first shift when Ashdeer had been present, Azriel had begun to find it easier to shift, slowly but surely to her Phoenix self. She knew the Phoenix to human shift was still a little staggered, but she had begun to work in earnest with Malia on her own magical abilities. It had been a slow painful process for Azriel, as she had worked hard day and night to focus with Malia. In the past few days, there had been a breakthrough. They had discovered that she could slowly start channeling sparks from silver tipped fingers, it had taken time and effort, but it had begun to happen.
Yet, beyond her own magical progress, a lot of the rest of Azriel's life was filled with silences. Ashdeer had understood her reluctance and had kept his distance. She barely met him and she didn't even know if he was at the fortress. The Book, was unusually silent lately, and she had kept it in a safe spot under a broken tile in her room. Yet, the one voice she longed to hear again, which she anticipated with a strange repulsion and fascination, that of Ashmeer, the man she had loved with the callow and naïve love of a young girl was absent as well after the forest. She felt a pang with when she thought of Ashmeer still. She knew the offer of marriage from Ashdeer still lay open, but she was still unable to fathom his reasons for it. She knew she could not hold him off forever.
As if reflective of her own dark thoughts, the flame in her hand sparked dangerously and Malia interjected, "Azriel, control your thoughts and emotions. Your magic is not controllable yet, if you draw in too much, it will burn down the entire Fortress and even you, yourself."
Azriel calmed down her thoughts, watching her silver flames flicker slowly down to nothing.
"Lesson over for today Azriel." Malia said.
"Why don't you ever remove your veil?"
"I....Azriel, I am not like you, my ...."
"I know Malia, I've known for a while. What happened tell me?"
"I drew more magic than I should have. We had a battle many years ago at the Border of the Blight and I was younger and arrogant and I thought I could handle it. I was so intent on my chase with the dark mages, I didn't realize what I was doing."
"Is it too late now to do anything?"
"It is Azriel. The outcome was terrible Azriel, I killed the man I loved, among other people I cared for. I hurt many friends, and yes the dark mages also died, but it was a very heavy price to pay."
"Oh my god....", Azriel exclaimed.
"I still have a trickle of magic left in me Azriel, enough to maintain this cavern and all that needs to be nurtured here. Enough to teach a pupil like yourself."
"Malia, of you still have powers, why do you choose to remain in this state? Why not allow yourself to regain your former appearance?"
"It's to remind myself of my own folly. My arrogance Azriel, " Malia said as she abruptly lifted her veil to show her burnt face to her. It was a sad sight to behold. All her features had melted into a shapeless mass. There were holes where her nose and mouth should have been, and even her eyes, were almost shut. Azriel felt a deep pain for Malia and went and hugged her.
Malia tried to take a step back but Azriel could not let her go. Her tears fell unabashedly on Malia's hands as she held them in her's. To their surprise, Malia's skin began to return to a healthy pink form as the tears washed over them. Azriel was still crying as she said, "Is there nothing that can help you Malia? I have to confess that I saw your form under the veil the first time I shifted itself. I saw you for what you are!"
"You see beyond the veil Azriel your tears heal the land, can't you see what this means? I was skeptical when Ashdeer brought you to me. I watched you struggle and wondered if the stories were true. You were a wee frightened girl who had no knowledge of anything. I wasn't sure of you but now....all my doubts have begun to leave me."
To Azriel's utter shock, Malia suddenly bowed down to her and said, "Lady Azriel, Silver Phoenix, Protector of our Land!"
"What are you saying? That is the Dragon's...I mean Duke Ashdeer's title....."
"The legend says that when the Silver Phoenix and the Dragon ride out to war together, then the world will be rid of the Blight!"
"War?", asked Azriel stupidly.
"Azriel, I have seen you struggle for so long for the past few months now with me. I have seen you move from the denial of your own true form to finding your inner spirit and learning to bring it out. I am sure you will become what your role and destiny demand of you."
"My role? My destiny? What are you saying Malia? I don't understand."
"Azriel, the legends say that when the Silver Phoenix and Dragon ride together, then this war, which has now been going on for hundreds of years will end finally."
"But, I know nothing of war!" Azriel exclaimed. Yet, somewhere Malia's words were falling in place for her. Now the tapestry in Ashdeer's chambers made sense. The Phoenix riding with the Dragon. The pendant Layla had given her when they had met. It all started making a lot of sense to her.
Azriel turned to Malia and asked, "So then there is no escaping my destiny is it?"
"No Azriel, I'm afraid there is not!