Lanni appreciated having people to help. It helped her focus on something other than the loss of magic—a dull ache she felt less sharply since Jahree had shared his own methods of coping with her. She led the way with renewed purpose, drawing strength from the people with her. When they entered the room, they found Shan collapsed on the floor near the tub, looking like he’d tried to shift out of his Merman form but hadn’t fully succeeded. His body was caught mid-transformation, and the sight made Lanni cringe. She knew all too well the agony of a failed shift. Sifa’s face paled as she turned away, moving to the far corner. Tellic silently joined her, though he kept his eyes on Shan. “Help,” Shan managed to whisper, his voice weak but clear. “Are you stuck?” Loka asked, crouching beside him, her voice gentle yet edged with concern. Shan nodded, his hand twitching as if attempting to finish the change himself. He looked up, desperation in his eyes. “Can you help him?” Loka turned to Lanni, the unspoken plea evident in her expression. “Without magic? No, I can’t,” Lanni admitted, frustration clear in her tone. “But... I have something. Let me get it.” She hurried to her room, retrieving a small vial from a hidden compartment. As she returned, Jahree’s gaze fell on the vial in her hand. “Is that one of your vials?” he asked, curiosity and concern mixing in his voice. Lanni nodded and knelt beside Shan, holding the vial within his view. “Shan, look at me,” she said, coaxing his attention. He managed to meet her eyes, understanding slowly dawning in his expression. “Do you know what this is?” she asked, waiting for his response. Shan nodded, his breath ragged. “Vial… dragons use… to change.” “Exactly. I want to use it on you, but you have to pay for it. Do you understand?” “Money?” he asked, confusion clear in his gaze. “Not this time.” Lanni shook her head. “The cost is a scale.” “A scale?” Jahree echoed, raising an eyebrow. He glanced down and noticed the iridescent shard by Shan’s hand, its color shifting in the light. Shan managed to grasp the scale and held it out to Lanni, who reached under his hand so he could drop it into her palm. She placed the vial in his hand, curling his fingers around it. Still holding his hand, Lanni closed her eyes, focusing on the transformation energy she was sharing with him. Shan’s grip on her other hand tightened, and he cried out as his body began to shift, the process painful yet necessary. Lanni’s own face twisted in sympathy, but she didn’t let go, silently willing him the strength to endure. Finally, the change was complete. Shan lay panting, his breaths shallow but steady. Lanni kept her gaze on his face, offering him a small, private moment of dignity. Loka quickly draped her cloak over him, shielding his form from view. “How’s he doing?” Jahree asked, concern evident in his eyes. Loka looked over at him, her face softening. “Give him time. It was hard on him, but he’ll recover.” Shan’s gaze lingered on Loka, and there was a sadness in his eyes, a depth of something unspoken that flickered there and was gone. He took a shaky breath, steadying himself. “Could you all wait in the other room?” Shan asked, his voice barely a whisper. “I’d like a moment to get dressed, and we can talk then.” “Shouldn’t someone have checked on us with all the noise?” Tellic wondered aloud, casting a wary glance toward the door. “Zan, at the very least, should have come,” Lanni agreed. She turned to Tellic. “Go check on him and the others. Meet us in my room.” “I’ll stay with Shan,” Loka said softly, resting a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Make sure he’s all right.” Lanni caught the healer’s gaze, searching for any sign of fatigue. “Are you all right, Loka?” “I’ve been through worse,” Loka replied with a faint smile. “We’ll be there soon.” As Lanni and Jahree moved to her room, Sifa slipped out to check on the rest of their group. Once inside, Jahree turned to Lanni, his face clouded with worry. “Are you okay? You seem shaken.” Lanni hesitated, then nodded. “It’s not just about Shan… I’m worried about all of us. This situation has me remembering things I’d rather not.” She took a deep breath, the memory tugging at her unbidden. “When they stripped me of magic,” she began, voice barely a whisper, “I didn’t even realize what had happened at first. I’d gone to Shimis for a diplomatic meeting with the Yarb king. Rola usually joined me on ambassador trips, but because of the summit in Raklar, he went there to help. I had no idea it was all a setup.” Jahree’s face fell as he began to understand. “They attacked the summit.” “Yes.” Lanni’s voice wavered. “Rola told me, telepathically, what was happening as it unfolded. They ambushed him there, slaughtering everyone. And I was stuck, helpless, barely able to tap into my magic. I tried to transport to the summit but ended up in Erilu instead. By the time I flew the rest of the way… it was over. Rola was one of the last to die. Til, Midta’s mate, sacrificed herself trying to keep him alive because I was on my way, but it didn’t help, and he died too. I got revenge on the Yarbs. It wasn’t pretty.” Jahree’s hand found hers, offering a silent comfort. “Why did your dad teach you that trick?” Lanni asked. “You saw the watchman choking me? It was because of that and other things. I’ll tell you more later. What did Loka say? Did some the drug you?” Jahree didn’t want to talk about his past, while Lanni was so upset. “No. This is affecting her too, and I’d imagine Shan.” “What happened to him?” Jahree asked, still trying to piece together what he’d seen. “Let him explain.” “But you gave him your vial,” Jahree protested. “One of them. It’s not the one I usually use to change. I have extras to hold more magic. Sometimes, I get asked to do things beyond even my strength.” Loka and Shan rejoined them then, the latter looking steadier though he moved with careful slowness. He held the vial out to her, but Lanni pushed his hand back gently. “Keep it. I have more,” she said softly. Shan raised an eyebrow. “How many do you have?” “That was my fifth. You can fill them with magic to use in emergencies. I’ll show you how we can cast again,” Lanni promised. “How can he use a vial made for a dragon?” Loka asked. “That one was adapted for him. I found a feather in there the other day. I figured he was changing. I’d already looked into getting the diamonds to make one, but the local dealer couldn’t get enough of the quality needed. I couldn’t go to the Baj-tisk without telling them why. They’re irritated with me for having so many as it is. So I drained the spell from one of mine and spelled it so Shan could use it. When we get a chance, I’ll teach you how to use it.” “I appreciate this so much,” Shan assured her. Trema entered, looking tense. “We have a problem. Kritalla and Tercala are both unconscious. Tellic told me what happened here, and Zan lost one set of his enchanted earrings. Fortunately, the ones Lanni made still work. I sent him to check on Marn and the others at Areen’s place.” Everyone exchanged worried looks, tension thick in the room as they began to realize how deeply things had spiraled. Lanni nodded, looking at each of them. “We’ll face this together. Let’s check on the rest and make sure everyone is alright. Whatever’s coming, we face it united.” #fantasy #magic #dragons #hiddenlands