Chapter 19: Beyond the Wall
*Linaera's POV*
The early morning sun barely pierced the thick clouds as I prepared to depart Winterfell. The air was frigid, the world blanketed in silence, but Adrastus's warmth at my back was a welcome reminder of the fire I carried within. Lord Rickon came to see me off, his gaze steady but shadowed with concern.
"Take care, Lady Linaera," he said, his voice low but laced with the authority of his station. "Beyond the Wall is no place for even the bravest."
I gave him a small smile, feeling the weight of his words. "The North has taught me well, Lord Rickon. I will return soon."
With a nod, I climbed onto Adrastus, settling into the familiar seat between his powerful shoulders. I gave Rickon one final nod before whispering, "sōvegon." With a beat of Adrastus's wings, we rose into the sky, the cold wind biting against my face. I focused forward, my mind already fixed on what lay beyond the Wall.
The Wall soon came into view, an icy monolith that stretched endlessly in both directions. We soared over it, the vast, frozen wilderness unfolding beyond. As I looked down, I was surprised. Instead of barren emptiness, I saw a winter landscape teeming with resilient life—twisted evergreens poking through the snow, tracks of animals zigzagging across the land, and hints of vibrant moss on rocks and fallen logs. Even in this harsh environment, life endured.
We continued our flight, and as the day wore on, a strange pulse tugged at me. The magic felt old, ancient beyond measure, and it thrummed in my blood, calling me forward. I leaned into Adrastus and whispered, "Nopāzgon, Adrastus." (Descend, Adrastus.)
The dragon angled his wings, landing gracefully in the snow. We stood in front of a towering rock face—at first glance, nothing but a dead end. But I could feel it: a wall of magic, woven tightly around something hidden. My fingertips tingled with the wards' familiar energy, a complex weave designed to mask, repel, and protect.
"It's guarded," I murmured to myself, touching the air where the ward shimmered faintly, almost invisible to any untrained eye. I closed my eyes and reached out with my own magic, working through each layer of enchantment, coaxing it to unravel like a thread.
With a soft sigh, the ward dissipated, revealing a massive door of dark stone. The door was decorated with intricate runes that glowed faintly under my touch. There was no handle or visible mechanism, but I felt an instinctive pull. I laid my hands on the surface, focusing my magic and letting it meld with whatever power held the door shut.
A soft hum filled the air, and then, slowly, the door slid open, revealing an ancient chamber within.
I stepped inside, eyes widening at the sight. The room was vast, dimly lit by orbs of magical light that hovered near the ceiling. Shelves upon shelves of ancient books lined the walls, their leather-bound spines covered in dust. Artifacts rested on pedestals—ancient weapons, strange trinkets, and crystal vials. At the far end of the room, on a raised stone altar, lay a brilliant green gem that seemed to pulse with life.
I could feel it drawing me in, a magnetic pull I couldn't ignore. My cautious mind urged me to stay back, but something deeper pushed me forward. Almost in a trance, I reached out and touched the gem.
As soon as my fingers brushed its cool surface, the gem trembled before settling, a faint glow surrounding it. The room grew colder, the magic intensifying until a shimmering figure began to materialize before me. She was as beautiful and formidable as I had seen in my dreams—skin as pale as fresh snow, eyes a brilliant emerald, and long, raven-black hair cascading down her back. Her gaze was piercing, full of both wisdom and something ancient, an indomitable power.
"You came," she said, her voice a whisper that echoed in the chamber. "My heir."
My throat tightened, questions bubbling up within me. "Who are you?" I asked, taking a step back, trying to process the surreal sight. "Why do you appear in my dreams? Why…why have you called me here?"
The woman inclined her head slightly, a small smile gracing her lips. "I am Morgana—a fragment of her, at least. I am what remains of her knowledge, her power, her legacy. And I have been waiting…waiting for one worthy to continue it."
The name struck me like a lightning bolt. Morgana. Legends of her power were whispered even in the most secretive circles, tales of her strength and cunning passed down through generations. I struggled to form my next question. "You...you wish for me to inherit your power? To carry on your legacy?"
Morgana's gaze softened. "Yes, child. You have proven yourself worthy. This world you see—it stands on the brink of change, a future shaped by those who hold true power, wisdom, and courage. You will be needed, not only for what you are, but for what you will become. The world beyond these walls is vast, and the forces at work are stronger than they seem. You, my heir, will have to rise to meet them."
I felt a strange thrill mingled with apprehension. "How can I possibly inherit your power? You're…you're a legend."
She chuckled softly, a sound both haunting and soothing. "The power you seek is within your reach, but it must be bestowed. My time is ending; what remains of me is only a shadow of my true self. I am bound to this gem, this vessel, but I have waited so that I may pass on what I have learned, the strength I have built."
The realization hit me like a wave. This wasn't just about magic—it was about history, a continuation of something much older than myself. And yet, the thrill in my veins pushed me forward. "Then…how do we begin?"
Morgana extended her hand toward me, and I felt a surge of energy as her image flickered slightly. "Place your hands on the gem and allow your magic to open. You must willingly accept the bond, embrace what is offered. My power will merge with yours, flowing into your essence, binding our spirits across the veil."
Nodding, I placed my hands firmly on the gem. Morgana's eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a rush of energy course through my body, like molten fire racing through my veins. Her power was intense, ancient, and as it connected with my own, I felt something shifting inside me, my magic expanding, intertwining with hers.
The room seemed to spin, the walls blurring as Morgana's magic melded with mine. A strange warmth, coupled with a chilling frost, spread throughout me. I closed my eyes, steadying my breath, feeling her presence blend with my own until I could no longer tell where she ended and I began.
Moments—or perhaps hours—later, I opened my eyes. The gem had dimmed, and Morgana's figure was fading, her image barely visible.
"This is only the beginning, my heir," she said, her voice a whisper. "You will learn much, and in time, all that I was will be known to you. Carry my power, and fight for the future I once dreamed of."
And with that, she vanished, leaving only the faint warmth of her magic pulsing within me.
I stood there in the silence, allowing the weight of her words to settle.