- Response to Theme 15: Power, on the Tammy Drabbles site.
I shouldn't have been so full of pride. Then I wouldn't have caused this. Alanna would curse and rage if she knew…
But she was the reason this happened, the reason we switched. And I agreed. Then again, it seems fair to blame both of us for this. We've both got the stubborn Trebond blood and with it, the temper. Still, I wonder if it was for the best if we switched places…or if it was for the worst.
Is this what it means to be a great mage? To let your power become manipulated like this, to feel weak and defenseless at times of peril? If it is, I'd rather, as Alanna says, 'kiss a pig.'
Where did everything start to go downhill? When?
The memory comes in a rush. It was when Delia of Eldorne challenged my magic and my pride…that damn woman was working for Roger the whole time.
Beauty, traitor, and a whore…I should have known she'd try something to faze me. I am the youngest mage with the most power in the City of the Gods. But clearly I've not the brains. Only pride. Alanna always said that, those many years ago.
My lips are chapping, my skin is pale, I'm weak all the time, and my magic is draining…Side effects of power. Damn power, damn magic. Damn it all. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if we were born without magic…what would our life been like then?
We probably would have never found ourselves in this mess, that's what!
Please Alanna, I want you to know I never wanted this to happen. I never wanted the pride nor the power to kill…please believe me. Even if you think I'm the biggest prig in the Divine Realms, I wouldn't care if it were able to stop this.
I'm now lying here, dying. But I'm willing to die, Alanna…I caused this all because of my pride and my power. I caused this.
I take a shaky breath and smile…
Regardless of my pride.
I don't need my magic to say this, sister…
I love you, always have, always will.