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acourtofquestions · 23 days ago

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Kingdom of Ash Chapter 61

Chapter; Highlights (okay the entire chapter is a highlight)🤣

As requested @mysterylilycheeta I NEED TO SQUEAL IN WYVERN FANGIRL WITH YOU NOW CAUSE OH M GOODNESS THIS CHAPTER ON SO MANY LEVELS I JUST AHAKWIHUHFEJLZXBKEKA

Agony was a song in Lorcan's blood, his bones, his breath.

Every step of the horse, every leap she made over body and debris, sent it ringing afresh. There was no end, no mercy from it. It was all he could do to keep in the saddle, to cling to consciousness.

To keep his arm around Elide.

She had come for him. Had found him, somehow, on this endless battlefield.

His name on her lips had been a summons he could never deny, even when death had held him so gently, nestled beneath all those he'd felled, I, and waited for his last breaths.

And now, charging toward that too-distant keep, so far behind the droves of soldiers and riders racing for the gates, he wondered if these minutes would be his last. Her last.

She had come for him.

Lorcan managed to glance toward the dam on their right. Toward the ruk rider signaling that it was only a matter of minutes until it unleashed hell over the plain.

He didn't know how it had become weakened. Didn't care.

Still Elide kept urging the horse onward, kept them on as straight a path toward the distant keep as possible.

No ruk would come to sweep them up. No, his luck had been spent in surviving this long, in her finding him. His power would do nothing against that water.

The farthest lines of panicked soldiers appeared, and Farasha charged past them.

Elide let out a sob, and he followed the line of her sight.

To the keep gate, still open.

"Faster, Farasha!" She didn't hide the raw terror in her voice, the desperation.

Once the dam broke, it would take less than a minute for the tidal wave to reach them.

She had come for him. She had found him.

The world went quiet. The pain in his body faded into nothing. Into something secondary.

Lorcan slid his other arm around Elide, bringing his mouth close to her ear as he said, "You have to let me go."

Each word was gravelly, his voice strained nearly to the point of uselessness.

Elide didn't shift her focus from the keep ahead. "No."

That gentle quiet flowed around him, clearing the fog of pain and battle. "You have to. You have to, Elide. I'm too heavy-and without my weight, you might make it to the keep in time."

"No." The salt of her tears filled his nose.

Lorcan brushed his mouth over her damp cheek, ignoring the roaring pain in his body. The horse galloped and galloped, as if she might outrace death itself.

"I love you," he whispered in Elide's ear. "I have loved you from the moment you picked up that axe to slay the ilken." Her tears flowed past him in the wind. "And I will be with you ..." His voice broke, but he made himself say the words, the truth in his heart. "I will be with you always."

He was not frightened of what would come for him once he tumbled off the horse. He was not frightened at all, if it meant her reaching the keep.

So Lorcan kissed Elide's cheek again, allowed himself to breathe in her scent one last time. "I love you," he repeated, and began to withdraw his arms from around her waist.

Elide slapped a hand onto his forearm. Dug in her nails, right into his skin, fierce as any ruk.

"No."

There were no tears in her voice. Nothing but solid, unwavering steel.

"No," she said again. The voice of the Lady of Perranth.

Lorcan tried to move his arm, but her grip would not be dislodged.

If he tumbled off the horse, she would go with him.

Together. They would either outrun this or die together.

"Elide-"

But Elide slammed her heels into the horse's sides.

Slammed her heels into the dark flank and screamed, "FLY, FARASHA." She cracked the reins. "FLY, FLY, FLY!"

And gods help her, that horse did.

As if the god that had crafted her filled the mare's lungs with his own breath, Farasha gave a surge of speed.

Faster than the wind. Faster than death.

Farasha cleared the first of the fleeing Darghan cavalry. Passed desperate horses and riders at an all-out gallop for the gates.

Her mighty heart did not falter, even when Lorcan knew it was raging to the point of bursting.

Less than a mile stood between them and the keep.

But a thunderous, groaning crack cleaved the world, echoing off the lake, the mountains.

There was nothing he could do, nothing that brave, unfaltering horse could do, as the dam ruptured.

Rowan made himself stand there, to watch the last moments of the Lady of Perranth and his former commander. It was all he could offer: witnessing their deaths, so he might tell the story to those he encountered. So they would not be forgotten.

The roaring of the oncoming wave became deafening, even from miles away.

Still Elide and Lorcan raced, Farasha passing horse after horse after horse.

Even up here, would they escape the wave's reach? Rowan dared to survey the battlements, to assess if he needed to get the others, needed to get Aelin, to higher ground.

But Aelin was not at his side.

She was not on the battlement at all.

Rowan's heart halted. Simply stopped beating as a ruddy-brown ruk dropped from the skies, spearing for the center of the plain.

Arcas, Borte's ruk. A golden-haired woman dangling from his talons.

Aelin. Aelin was—

Arcas neared the earth, talons splaying.

Aelin hit the ground, rolling, rolling, until she uncoiled to her feet.

Right in the path of that wave.

"Oh gods," Fenrys breathed, seeing her, too.

They all saw her.

The queen on the plain.

The endless wall of water surging for her.

The keep stones began shuddering. Rowan threw out a hand to brace himself, fear like nothing he had known ripping through him as Aelin lifted her arms above her head.

A pillar of fire shot up around her, lifting her hair with it.

The wave roared and roared for her, for the army behind her.

The shaking in the keep was not from the wave.

It was not from that wall of water at all.

Cracks formed in the earth, splintering across it. Spiderwebbing from Aelin.

"The hot springs," Chaol breathed. "The valley floor is full of veins into the earth itself."

Into the burning heart of the world.

The keep shook, more violently this time.

The pillar of fire sucked back into Aelin.

She held out a hand before her, her fist closed.

As if it would halt the wave in its tracks.

He knew then. Either as her mate or carranam, he knew.

"Three months," Rowan breathed.

The others stilled.

"Three months," he said again, his knees wobbling. "She's been making the descent into her power for three months."

Every day she had been with Maeve, bound in iron, she had gone deeper. And she had not tapped too far into that power since they'd freed her because she had kept making the plunge.

To gather up the full might of her magic.

Not for the Lock, not for Erawan.

But for Maeve's death blow.

A few weeks of descent had taken her powers to devastating levels. Three months of it

…

Holy gods. Holy rutting gods.

And when her fire hit the wall of water now towering over her, when they collided —

"GET DOWN!" Rowan bellowed, over the screaming waters. "GET DOWN NOW!"

His companions dropped to the stones, any within earshot doing the same.

Rowan plummeted into his power. Plummeted into it fast and hard, ripping out any remaining shred of magic.

Elide and Lorcan were still too far from the gates. Thousands of soldiers were still too far from the gates as the wave crested above them.

As Aelin opened her hand toward it.

Fire erupted.

Cobalt fire. The raging soul of a flame.

A tidal wave of it.

Taller than the raging waters, it blasted from her, flaring wide.

The wave slammed into it. And where water met a wall of fire, where a thousand years of confinement met three months of it, the world exploded.

Blistering steam, capable of melting flesh from bone, shot across the plain.

With a roar, Rowan threw all that remained of his magic toward the onslaught of steam, a wall of wind that shoved it toward the lake, the mountains.

Still the waters came, breaking against the flames that did not so much as yield an inch.

Maeve's death blow. Spent here, to save the army that might mean Terrasen's salvation. To spare the lives on the plain.

Rowan gritted his teeth, panting against his fraying power. A burnout lurked, deadly close.

The raging wave threw itself over and over and over into the wall of flame.

Rowan didn't see if Elide and Lorcan made it into the keep. If the other soldiers and riders on the plain stopped to gape.

Princess Hasar said, rising beside him, "That power is no blessing."

"Tell that to your soldiers," Fenrys snarled, standing, too.

"I did not mean it that way," Hasar snipped, and awe was indeed stark on her face.

Rowan leaned against the battlements, panting hard as he fought to keep the lethal steam from flowing toward the army. As he cooled and sent it whisking away.

Solid hands slid under his arms, and then Fenrys and Gavriel were there, propping him up between them.

A minute passed. Then another.

The wave began to lower. Still the fire burned.

Rowan's head pounded, his mouth going dry.

Time slipped from him. A coppery tang filled his mouth.

The wave lowered farther, raging waters quieting. Then roaring turned to lapping, rapids into eddies.

Until the wall of flame began to lower, too. Tracking the waters down and down and down. Letting them seep into the cracks of the earth.

Rowan's knees buckled, but he held on to his magic long enough for the steam to lessen.

For it, too, to be calmed.

It filled the plain, turning the world into drifting mist. Blocking the view of the queen in its center.

Then silence. Utter silence.

Fire flickered through the mist, blue turning to gold and red. A muted, throbbing glow.

Rowan spat blood onto the battlement stones, his breath like shards of glass in his throat.

The glowing flames shrank, steam rippling past. Until there was only a slim pillar of fire, veiled in the mist-shrouded plain.

Not a pillar of fire.

But Aelin.

Glowing white-hot. As if she had given herself so wholly to the flame that she had become fire herself.

The Fire-Bringer someone whispered down the battlements.

The mist rippled and billowed, casting her into nothing but a glowing effigy.

The silence turned reverent.

A gentle wind from the north swept down. The veil of mist pulled back, and there she was.

She glowed from within. Glowed golden, tendrils of her hair floating on a phantom wind.

"Mala's Heir," Yrene breathed.

Down on the plain, Elide and Lorcan had halted.

The wind pushed away more of the drifting mist, clearing the land beyond Aelin.

And where that mighty, lethal wave had loomed, where death had charged toward them, nothing remained at all.

For three months, she had sung to the darkness and the flame, and they had sung back.

For three months, she had burrowed so deep inside her power that she had plundered undiscovered depths. While Maeve and Cairn had worked on her, she had delved. Never letting them know what she mined, what she gathered to her, day by day by day.

A death blow. One to wipe a dark queen from the earth forever.

She'd kept that power coiled in herself even after she'd been freed from the irons. Had struggled to keep it down these weeks, the strain enormous. Some days, it had been easier to barely speak. Some days, swaggering arrogance had been her key to ignoring it.

Yet when she had seen that wave, when she had seen Elide and Lorcan choosing death together, when she had seen the army that might save Terrasen, she'd known. She'd felt the fire sleeping under this city, and knew they had come here for a reason.

She had come here for this reason.

A river still flowed from the dam, harmless and small, wending toward the lake.

Nothing more.

Aelin lifted a glowing hand before her as blessed, cooling emptiness filled her at last.

Slowly, starting from her fingertips, the glow faded.

As if she were forged anew, forged back into her body.

Back into Aelin.

Clarity, sharp and crystal clear, filled its wake. As if she could see again, breathe again.

Inch by inch, the golden glow faded into skin and bone. Into a woman once more.

Already, a white-tailed hawk launched skyward.

But as the last of the glow faded, disappearing out through her toes, Aelin fell to her knees.

Fell to her knees in the utter silence of the world, and curled onto her side.

She had the vague sense of strong, familiar arms scooping her up. Of being carried onto a broad feathery back, still in those arms.

Of soaring through the skies, the last of the mist rippling away into the afternoon sun.

And then sweet darkness.

#Chapter 61 #Kingdom of Ash #Sarah J. Maas #Lorcan Salvaterre #Elide Lochan #Elorcan #Aelin Galathynius #Chaol Westfall #Rowan Whitethorn #Fenrys Moonbeam #Gavriel #First Read along with me NO SPOILERS PLEASE though warning for post & tags up to KoA 61 & more reacts/notes/quotes in tags below #Agony was in his very blood-Summons-She had come for him-Let go.No.Always?-She came this far-THANK YOU ELIDE-The voice of Perranth #My lady-Together till the end-if only the horse could Fly-A prayer-Made himself watch-But Aelin-hell yes-So he might tell the story #Not forgotten-For her friends-To get Aelin-Where was she?MY HEART-The shaking was her-The springs-He knew-Three months #Every single day-But for Maeve’s meant for Maeve-she knew he’d know-his power the counteracting-GET FUCKING DOWN-She had not given up #A thousand years for here months endured & one moment-Spent here-To save them-Burnout or Blessing-UTTER Awe-A miracle #A curse to enemies-All of them really-she drained the bank & there he was-THE FIRE BRINGER-glowing blinding white out for the world #she became the flame-Master of death-heir of Fire-Nothing remained-That’s what was eating her alive-Its grief but more-she was still—#capturing flame-She didnt want2lose it either-It was all of it-But also Aelin had a plan-be glad4it-They would save them she didnt need it #Back to Aelin-She began fighting-Quiet-Fell to what he knows-Sweet darkness-the power dive #No.#You know it’s bad when Rowan’s prayingWhen even Yrene is praying but not save to give peace&painless ends but Aelin’s off to save the day #Not for the Lock not for Erawan. But for Maeve's death blow. & now to save Elide; Marion would be proud #the way he’s thinking about I’ve gotta get Aelin out of here #Into the burning heart of the world. — the world shuddered #Aelin I am a god Galathynius-The raging soul of a flame-thats her-shed made the final descent right then for Elide-Rowan plummeted for her #Spent here to save the army that might mean Terrasens salvation-not2kill2spareNoblessinNocurseMiracleWomanA war won-friends held him up #One hell of a rumor-Gentle from the north-Malas Heir-she had sung to the darkness&flame&they had sung backthe same story #GETDOWN.Back into Aelin he was there there how did he get there so fast?sweet darkness 1 last time

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princessmyriad · 14 days ago

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Actionable things to do, from a white childless non-usa womanoid:

- Think global act local

- Act woman-owned, woc/poc-owned, queer-owned, indigenous-owned as much as possible. Research which companies' parent companies should not be given money.

-uplift women of colour, and lgbtqia+ and femme people whenever you can, know when your voice should be the loudest but give others who sorely need a voice have not just their turn but their respect too. Let them know openly and politely when they have earned some of your admiration, and stand up for them in social situations, if it is safe to do so. Find safe people, we have strength in numbers too. Ask around at libraries and youth group and elder activity halls if theres a space theyd be willing to help you set up a community garden in

- Decenter men, decenter money, focus on community and kindness.

* adhere to the 4b movement and/or other woman+kindness-focused ideals that appeal to you with as much longterm conviction as you can find. We have been strong for so long and we can continue to be until we do not Need to be Strong anymore. We can, and will, get this right and make the world tender again. But we have to be strong enough for now to recognize our issues are each-others and we need to start with building a community where we are and building it out globally from there. We need to be amplifying the voices of the most truly deeply hurt peoples within our local communities and assisting those people the most, to build companionship and community and creativity and kindness and compassion into our joint futures. We need to not continue to isolate groups of people down further and encourage fear and distrust, this is what They want. Redirect people who are trying into genuine ways to help, instead of berating or complaining. Our issues might not be the same but they stem from the same roots of misogynistic bullshit and it's more important now maybe than ever to stand united and start fixing things locally first from a place of understanding, not separation.

- Find local shelters or soup kitchens or nonprofit places that primarily help women and/or poc and/or queer people, or facilities that supply safe sexual and reproductive health services for people with utersus, and volunteer in whichever way you can. Things that help often include serving food, preparing food that can be served or heated easily, donating cans or nonperishables. You can also donate blankets and clothes directly to the folk using the shelters if you're unsure of the people ‘running’ the place. Handmade items (knitting, crochet, quilting, sewing, etc.) might be a creative outlet for any frustrations felt too, keep in mind as many body-types that might make use of your item as possible. Some facilities might accept donations in the form of cleaning, or hosting their community bake-sales, or admin, or various other tasks so ask what kind of help they might need that would suit your personal skillset and limitations.

- Acquire books on edible gardening, on human anatomy and medical knowledge, -including mental health knowledge,- on cooking especially with cheap and shelf-stable ingredients. Find books on camping, survivalist tips, and general DIY tips for furniture and clothing and home-maintenance. Plumbing, witchcraft, electricity, tiling, any other book of practical skills could be useful too. Books written by (woc)women and queer people should be your first choice but take what you can get. Thrift stores often have cheap books (or are sometimes willing to give some away if you’re kind enough) but of course this does depend on where you live so acquire books in whichever way is most accessible to you. You can screenshot/save any information you find on the internet too, but it might be a good idea to print or write it out as well, and be sure to get information from smart, women, of colour, who know what they're talking about.

- if youre able, purchase as many contraceptive options and menstrual products as you can. Do not advertise that you have these, give them out to trusted women in need when needed. Do not hoard them, allow other menstruators to purchase them too but do look up the shelf-life of each product. Ive heard that a planB has a shelf life of four years, so thats possibly worth stocking up on, if you have the space and finances and support from within your home. I've not confirmed this though so please take this information with a grain of salt.

- get familiar with your body, aquire sex and selfpleasure toys, learn to use the tools you have safely to reach orgasm or whatever sexual satisfaction means to you. Be honest with yourself about your needs and limits. Post-nut clarity shouldn't be pushed to the backburner for women and femmes and it should be attained without the help of a man whenever possible. Emotional regulation will be hard but this is one of the best ways to stay focused and keep your body and mind from acting out out of a place of loneliness and self-hate. Dance, sing, scream, orgasm, create, do it all as primally as your vessel can handle to regulate, to activate social, empathy, and love and happiness centers of your brain and body.

- Don’t use period trackers or fertility trackers or any such websites/applications. Keep yourself safe online, use usernames and pseudonyms and nicknames that aren't identifiable back to your real life. Keep details of your real life limited to trusted people in trusted circles. Keep community in mind but use discretion as to who’s truly a trustworthy person to tell your thoughts or experiences to.

- Australians call and write and email your states leaders, everybody do this actually but Aus is rapidly approaching its own crisis-scenario so make your voice heard, make your wishes clear, keep your intentions away from discussion with political heads but remain focused and concise with the outcome of upcoming potential bills and laws that you want to see. Make it clear and factual what you don't want to see too, without making it into personal threats or insults (despite how much you might want to sling some choice words toward your resident Rich Whiteman). Statistics are your friend here but remain honest with yourselves about where the stat comes from and about how Statistics are often played with for the benefit of the author.

***I’m too stressed to think lately. As I find or think of more tips i’ll add them. Please stay safe ladies. Carry a hammer, any weaponry you feel confident to use. Know that knifework can be dangerous to you if you’re not experienced at it. Know too that you must survive. Out of hope, out of spite, out of rage or love you must survive. We can not lose this battle when we have been fighting it for so long. Do not give up now. Please. Rest when you need but please, do not give up now. <3

#personal #4b movement #punk #idk how to tag this. if women of colour. women and queer folk in general too but mostly woc could gently tell me if ive made a mistake in #my wording or my topic points im really just wanting to give the best workable advice for. everyone but specifically white middleclass wome #as thats my situation so thats what i know im trying to make this whole thing as digestible as possible for people like me that maybe haven #been as fortunate to experience the moral and social ideologies that i have been exposed to #for the people that might answer 'what radicalized you' with 'nothing. yet.'#i just wanna help but i feel so limited with my own physical health and mental wellbeing so i figure this is at least something #i hope its the right kind of something im not trying t start more fights or cause offence so please just be kind in your correction if i di #start looking seriously into gardening. some plants have been said to assist with many medical issues #from healing minor aches and pains to ridding of things that are unwanted #look into that be safe be discressionary be discreet #if you can grow some plants indoors even on a little balcony bench thats always a nice way to let out frustration too and after all.#plants take time to grow their best bloom

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