Letter 18

Poppy,

My two plants have grown even more today. After a morning of using my water power to mop the floors, Magnar and I headed out to the library gardens to meet Nella and the plant she needed help with. Magnar enjoyed soaring around as I examined the rare plant.

It was easier again to access my power. With my hands in the soil, I felt the beating heart of the earth beneath me, its warmth and immensity grounding me. My power probed like vines along the roots, flinching away from a patch of rot and disease. But I directed the soil to surround it, creating a protective bubble so it could be pruned safely.

Nella was pleased and said that she would love it if I would join her out in the gardens for some regular work. I might consider her offer.

But when I got back to the library I was diverted by the Deputy Librarian, who sent me straight to the vaults.

My heart pounded. I thought for sure that someone was going to have run into a wraith and be in danger. I was so relieved to see that the Chief Librarian was dealing with a flood instead.

She didn't seem to feel the same. As soon as she saw me, she started yelling that I was supposed to have taken care of this, and asking if I could stop sending her on wild goose chases and making up stories about wraiths.

I pushed past her into sublevel 3, which was now knee deep in water, and slammed my hand into the crack. I intended to seal the crack with the warmth of earth, but it was ice that spread from my fingertips. Cool, hard ice that covered the gap from the outside in. It was immovable, and for some reason I just know it won't melt.

The Chief Librarian was stunned into a momentary silence as I left the vault. I'm sure she said something to my retreating back but I didn't hear it. I just walked up to my room and collapsed onto the bed.

That was more than a few hours ago. I woke up just before, and gave Magnar some food.

I feel so disorientated, Poppy. I'm using ice power now? Without meaning to? Am I broken? Will I cause another catastrophe? I was Willow, the horticulturist with earth and water magic. Then I was Willow, the out of control fire mage. And now? Who am I now Poppy?

Your friend, always

Willow