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“Perhaps they are the same. We do not know, but the way magic was split was because The Sister’s magic was split. Catalyst. Requisite, Sypher.”
“Three? I thought magic was only split into Catalyst and Requisite?”
“As do most. Did you not question where your gifts came from?”
“I thought they were like all others, fíra, wôder, vio, Ær, lðt.”
“A Catalyst is a conduit, a holder. A Requisite is an igniter, the flint. A Sypher is a puller, a collector. Different branches of magic that appear joined in others. You are a Sypher, Caspyn. Although, I believe you are the last of those left.”
“The last Sypher?” Vaelar had called me as such when he first met me, it couldn’t be possible that I was the last, but then I had never met another.
“Yes, they vanished centuries ago. Syphers are dangerous to Fae not only because they can take the magic from others, but because they can track magic. Any magic. Once found, you can devour it, take both magic and life and make it your own. You have the gift to hunt out Catalysts, Requisites, and Fae. Syphers were used in the Black War to kill off so many of our kind… they disappeared after that battle. You are the first I have seen in an age.”
It made sense, I had never known anyone to track and sense magic. Even when I had trained with the witches and the assassins it was a skill I never saw.
Because I was the last one.
The only one.
Vaelar’s fear when he realized what I was suddenly made sense.
“I am a Sypher.”
He nodded, “You said your sister's name was Lily? In Fae, Lyli means Lynar. It seems that in some way your mother knew what fate had planned for you.”
I doubted that. My mother only knew the fear of losing her children to the Fae armies, she knew nothing of fighting back. She knew nothing of Goddesses and sisters and promises to return. Well, unless it was the princess.
I only snorted in response.
“You already know the truth, Caspyn Light Bringer, as your ancestors did. As your mother did when she gave you your names.”
“I really wish you would stop calling me that.” I snarled, still gripping my blades even as I stared at the flickering light of the lilies, trying to force myself to calm. “My name is simply Caspyn.”
“There are three words in the language of the Fae that mean light.” He began as though I had asked. I shot him a look, but he only continued, as he always did. “To bring light, Caspyn. To take light, Aryon, and to hold light, Neylara.” He hesitated, his lips pulling taut as he moved down to the water, the surface not creating so much of a ripple as he stepped into the warm water.
“I am beginning to feel as though you only brought me here to convince me of my role in whatever is coming.”
“Perhaps. I believe you have an important part to play, Caspyn. We do not know how the light will right the wrongs of the Goddess and the sister. But we know that the light will each play an important role. You will play an important role.”
“I am not who you think I am.” I was no bringer of light. No savior, not in the way he wanted anyway. I would save my sister, and I would do what I needed to make that happen. “I cannot be who you want me to be.”
“There may be darkness behind you, but there is light before you, and together those journeys will guide you toward whatever path has been laid down for you.” He was being philosophical, but he didn’t need to be. I already knew this answer.
“My path is to Queen Dalyah. To end her at the crimson stained altar. I will not let the princess fail.” I stepped into the water again, the warm, still surface enclosing around the toes of my boots. “It is what I am meant to do.”
I had no question. I had never had any question. That was until Ryndle came along ranting about Fae histories and telling me that the Fae weren’t the bad guys at all. That none of them were.
“You must continue on your path, Caspyn.” Ryndle turned to me slowly, those brown eyes wide as he stepped closer. Too close. I wanted to push him away, but I couldn't move. “But I will tell you this. In your path you must find and save the princess. She is as important in this as you are. Together perhaps you can swallow the light and save it for what is coming.”
I should really start to keep track of how many people told me to either save or kill the princess. I was starting to lose track.
“I have been told to kill the princess.” I may not know the man, but somehow, I felt more apt to accept the word of my great-grandfather than this confusing Fae.
“There are many princesses. Princess of Fae. Of Okivo. Of Spryv. Which one do you seek?” I hadn’t been told, but I would think that the answer was obvious.
“Growing up, in my time, I was told Elara tried to save us when the queen killed the catalysts. I was told that the princess would return. But then you said the same for the Sister.” Ryndle nodded, pushing me on. “Perhaps neither is true. Perhaps it is only those of us who are here who can do the saving. Perhaps it is up to us to save ourselves.”
“Perhaps.” He sure had a knack for giving one word so many infuriating meanings.
